Daily Devotional for Friday, April 12

The Enemies of the Gospel

“Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost,” 1 Thessalonians 2:16.

We have all heard the expression, “Cutting your nose off to spite your face.” That seems absurd, does it not? It is ridiculous that we would do such a thing. Yet, daily we can see people so set on harming another that they will incur harm to themselves to accomplish that goal. Expressions work because, as this one does, they illustrate a fundamental human truth.

Racial hatred the Jews had for the Gentiles ran very deep. The Jews were God’s chosen people. The problem was they thought they were special because God chose them. They thought the only way to God was by becoming Jewish, and here was this “cult” telling everyone that the only way to God was through Jesus. They resented the idea of gathering with Gentiles in worship and considered them to be a threat to their racial and ethnic purity. In a nutshell, the Jews did not want Gentiles sharing the afterlife with them.

That mindset did not please God then, nor does it please Him now. In our devotional verse, you can see the clear link between the actions of the Jews and judgment. It is crystal clear. What does that mean to us? If you have issues with any group of people being given God’s grace, then you have a problem. That means you think they are not worthy; by default, you must believe you are worthy. If you consider yourself worthy, then you likely also think you are earning your way to Heaven. Do you see your problem here?

JUST A THOUGHT
When you start thinking another is not worthy of the gospel, you should be glad that God did not apply your thinking to you.

Wally Fry