This mystery is that through the Gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise of Christ Jesus.

~ Ephesians 3:5 ~

One of my favourite chapters in the Bible is Acts 17. This is Paul’s speech on Mars Hill to the Greeks about Christ’s salvation for all men. In that chapter, coupled with this verse, we find that Christ did not come for just one nation or people, but for all men and all people. As it says in Acts, “For He made of one blood all nations of men…that they should seek the Lord… though He be not far from every one of us.”

God wants all men to be saved and, though we are spread across the earth and separated by various things, we have become joined together in Christ. This, of course, is hard for some people to accept and understand. Over the years, people have become divided by nationality, greed, and hatred towards one another. Yet in Christ  we are brought together into a new family and “race” with Him who unifies. And now that we have become a part of this family, we are also now heirs along with Israel in what has been promised. To be an heir is to be someone’s child, thus God calls us His children along with His Son. There is no separation between peoples because we are all one people made in His image and now also His children.

Yet it is only because of the Gospel through Jesus’ sacrifice that this is now true. Before, we were separated from God and bound to the law and subject to sin. Yet God did not make it an exclusive gift, but one by which “all of the nations shall be blessed”, and all the nations of the world were blessed through Christ. This gift is one meant to be shared with all people. It is indeed a mystery, and it was unknown that such a peace, fellowship, and community of love could exist among men; but it was shown at the proper time and is available for all today. The Gospel brings good news to all people. We were once separated from Christ and eternal life. But the Gospel grants us all access to the gift that all men seek: salvation and eternal life with Christ. An inheritance that will not rot away nor be taken from us, but instead will last eternally in the kingdom of God.

~Rose