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ALL PEOPLE…
Rod ShimabukuroRomans 10:12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
There were obviously many differences between Jews and Gentiles. To God’s people, the Jews, the Gentiles were unacceptable on many fronts.
In his commentary, Encountering the Book of Romans, Douglas Moo says that Romans is not basically about how an individual human being can get right with God; it is about how Gentiles can be added into God’s people without disenfranchising God’s “original” people, the Jews.
Romans includes the plan of God to bring salvation to all people into right relationship with Him. This was problematic for the Jews. Discrimination challenged the inclusion of Gentiles on many fronts, socially, beliefs, traditions, etc.
I’m realizing more and more I have some presupposed biases. How I think, what I believe, how I act and treat people, how I lead and teach the Bible…are all affected by my biases. I can at times, tend to be exclusive…having my own prejudices, biases, traditions of Christianity. I’ve prejudged and discriminated, not being inclusive of others. I can easily shut people out, or turn them away, turning an ear or head, because I don’t like what they say, stand for or believe in.
I like Moo’s wording of “how Gentiles can be added into God’s people…”
I want to to have an attitude of “adding” people - being more inclusive…in my heart. It’s more in my heart that I find myself judging others, where my inner attitudes creates walls between my ways and other people’s ways. If they aren’t like me…I can tend to “subtract them” from my “inclusion” list.
God is growing my love for all people. He’s working deeply in my heart. He has given me a love for Him, for all kinds of people.
My prayer is that the people God leads me to serve and minister to, are touched by God’s presence. That those who don’t know Him or are living backslidden lives, would call on HIs name! Thank You Daddie, Jesus and Spirit of God - for drawing ALL PEOPLE to know You. Use me to live and share Your love, that more people would call on Your name and be saved!
