Romans 1:5-6, NKJV
Among the nations. This faith that we have, this gospel we have heard, this grace we have received--it is not a personal individualized faith. We're living in a world that wants to make faith a matter of one's person, a personal set of belief systems and values in which each one of us can determine for ourselves what our faith is about. This is the eternal fallacy--for we cannot decide for ourselves. It is not in our purview. Faith and belief--religion--is not a matter of personal fulfillment, because it's not about us.
Salvation is not about the saved; it's about the Savior.
The Savior came to save us, yes. But the Savior came to save everybody.
Some have taken this thought, this idea, and developed a heresy that the Savior WILL save everybody, regardless of faith. But that's not true either.
Salvation has been provided for everyone through Jesus Christ; but only those who receive Christ can receive salvation.
Our faith must be lived out among the nations--proclaimed and demonstrated to all people everywhere! This is the great mission of faith that must be obeyed among the nations--for it was from among the nations that we were called. the gospel is eternal and universal in its application to all nations. It's not cultural, and it's certainly not personal. It is intentional!
And regarding our salvation, Paul says, "You are the called of Jesus Christ." That calling is something he will return to again and again.
Paul himself, a bondservant, was called to be an apostle. That was the assignment he received from the Master! His calling was specifically to be an apostle to the Gentiles.
What's your calling? It's certainly not to warm a pew 'til Jesus comes.
We have been called to obedience among all nations, because we were called from among the nations into salvation! Just as Paul's first ministry was in Damascus, we need to be witnesses in our world, starting right where we were when God called us and going from there.
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