Scripture to Read: Romans 3:29
It is not hard to imagine one set of people thinking of themselves as being better than another. We see this in our world every day. The same was true when God had Paul write to all of the saints in Rome (Romans 1:7). The Jews considered themselves to be much better than the Gentiles. The Jews saw themselves as God’s people and the Gentiles as nothing but reprobates, doomed for an eternal existence separated from God. The Jews believed that because they were born a Jew, they would be in heaven when they died because they were God’s chosen people. So God had Paul ask this question in Romans 3:29, “Or is God the God of Jews only?” Any Jew reading this question for the first time probably would have said, “Of course, God is only God of the Jews.” But then God has Paul ask this question in Romans 3:29, “Is He not the God of Gentiles also?” Many Jews would have answered this second question with a resounding, “No, God is definitely not God of the Gentiles.” Why would Jews think that they alone were God’s people? Why would Jews believe that every other nation was doomed to eternal separation from God? Because the Jews had misinterpreted God’s call upon their lives. God chose the nation of Israel to be His people, but God chose them to be salt and light to all other nations so they would know God as the Jews did. As Christians, God has called us to be salt and light to all who are lost. We must not miss God’s call.
Challenge & Application
Why did the Jews believe that they were the only ones going to heaven and that everyone else was doomed to hell?
How are you being salt and light to those around you who are still lost in their sins?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!