The Message
Our message should be God has embraced all of mankind. We are in the world that was to come (Heb 2:5)
God is inclusive not exclusive. (Acts 10:35)
Jesus set things straight when he said that sinners are as guilty of murder by saying, “you good-for-nothing,” or “You fool!” Similarly, looking at a woman with lust is committing adultery. Etc, etc, etc. Speaking of...
In John 8, the woman caught in adultery; she was about to be stoned by the self-righteous crowd. Again Jesus set things straight by putting them all in the SAME boat. “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” The crowds trickled away and no one stoned her. Jesus did not condemn her either. Also, (Ro 8:1) This is a taste and an example of God’s new law–what we live in today.
And those who were not Jews. They were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds (Col 2:21) They did not know God and were slaves to those which by nature are no gods (Gal 4:8 ) And separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world (Eph 3:12)
---They were all under sin in a world that could not DEAL with sin.---
All are forgiven in a new world (of grace) because Jesus DEALT with sin, putting it away for the world (the new creation), and tasting death for everyone. We are living in “the world to come.” (Heb 2:5) There is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all (Col 3:11)
This is the way God sees us. Of course our next door neighbor isn’t exactly a barbarian, but he may be a drunk, a rapist, or a kidnapper. The “no distinction” qualifier carries over.
Eph 1:21 He is above all rule and authority and power, and dominion, and every name that is named, NOT ONLY in this age but also in the age to COME. (Then and now)
Eph 2:7...so that in the AGES to COME He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Jesus Christ. (Them and us) ...to all generations (3:21)
Let me clump together a message:
And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation (Heb 5:9) Whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life (Jn 4:14) Then he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb, in the middle of its street. On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. (Rev 22:1-2) The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes to take the water of life without cost (Rev22:17)
We can rest today knowing that sin and death have no power over us. We can rest today knowing that Jesus came again “to receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also” (Jn 14) All things have been made new (and they have been for some time now) The tabernacle of God is among men (Rev 21) so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith...rooted and grounded in Love! (Eph 3:17)
1Cor 15:28 God is all in all. Dano
By Daniel Giese
