"Preached unto the Gentiles"

 

Ephesians 2:11-18 "Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; that at that time ye were without CHRIST, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without GOD in the world: but now in CHRIST JESUS ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of CHRIST. For HE is our peace, WHO hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

Having abolished in HIS flesh the enmity, even the Law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in HIMSELF of twain one new man, so making peace; and that HE might reconcile both unto GOD in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: and came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were night. For through HIM we both have access by one SPIRIT unto the FATHER."

     Most Scriptures dealing with the coming of CHRIST have to do with GOD's promises to Israel that will yet be fulfilled when JESUS returns to inaugurate HIS millennial kingdom. The texts detailing with the birth of JESUS in Bethlehem announce, "peace [and] good will" (Luke 2:14 pictured above) to the Jewish people if they would simply receive the newborn "PRINCE of PEACE" (Isaiah 9:6 pictured below), prophesied in the Old Testament, as their LORD and KING. Certainly no one, neither Jew nor Gentile, will find "peace and goodwill" in CHRIST JESUS unless he or she first acknowledges themselves to be a sinner and, through faith alone, humbly receives the LORD JESUS CHRIST as his or her sin-bearer -- as their personal SAVIOR.

     The nation of Israel rejected the SON of GOD at HIS first coming, and HIS subsequent death on the Roman cross opened the way for all men, not just the Jew, to become members of the household of GOD. This is why 1st. Timothy 3:16 (pictured at top of post) is such a blessed verse, for it clearly and succinctly expresses the good news that resulted from the birth of the Incarnate LORD of GLORY. Now, both Jew and Gentile alike can know the "peace and goodwill" of GOD if they will simply believe. Through faith in the Gospel message, the Gentiles, "which were afar off" (v.17), are now "made nigh by the blood of CHRIST" (v.13 cf. Romans 1:15-17). Because GOD the SON was born to die, "whosoever will" may come and partake of "the water of life freely" (Revelation 22:17). Merely celebrating the birth of JESUS CHRIST will not save anyone, but receiving the living CHRIST as SAVIOR by trusting in HIS substitutionary death and glorious resurrection certainly will. We must herald this good news to all, both during the Christmas season and throughout the year. DWC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

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