I would like to choose one main passage from both the Old and New Testament to show the heart of God for the salvation of the nations.
Old Testament:
Jonah 4:11, "And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?”
In the above passage God is rebuking Jonah for his hard heart towards the Ninevites and God's mercy from preventing judgment. Therefore, I believe this passage is significant for the following reasons, (1) God shows his love for nations, not just the nation of Israel, (2) God teaches Jonah that He prefers mercy over judgment and does not take lightly the punishment of even a pagan nation, and lastly, (3) God choose Jonah to bring salvation to the city by preaching repentance, thus God uses people with His heart to prevent judgment.
New Testament:
Matthew 28:19-20, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
The above passage takes place after Jesus was raised from the dead and was leaving His eleven disciples his final instructions on how they should continue without His earthly presence. Jesus teaches the following about world missions in this passage, (1) Jesus is concerned about the salvation of the nations, not just the nation of Israel, (2) Jesus died and rose from the dead to secure the salvation of the nations- this will be what the disciples teach, and lastly, (3) Jesus will use the disciples as preachers with the Gospel message to bring light to all the nations in every age till He returns.
In conclusion, the Bible from both the Old and New Testament shows the heart of God for the salvation of the nations. Peter, a close disciple of Jesus, said in 2 Peter 3:9, "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." Thus, God has always been and will always be focused on the redemption of all people in the world!
6 comments:
this is great!!
I like this a lot!
Does God love the world? Yes. But do not confuse His love for the world and His feeling toward each and every person. He does NOT love all people equally!!! See Psalm 5:5, Malachi 1:2-3 cf. Romans 9:13. God's love for the world is currently demonstrated through His elect ones taking His message to all nations/peoples. The gospel calls men and women irrespective of tribe or tongue or culture to the Savior. All the world does not mean each person but each category of persons. Hence God loves Jews as well as Gentiles, Poor as well as rich, black as well as white, and so forth.
Peace and Jesus bless and praise Him for His unfailing love toward us who believe!!!
Thank you Carlos for showing the reason why many reject Calvinism. (1) It is based on private interpretation and violates the plain reading of Scripture, and (2) It forces false extra-biblical characteristics upon God, such as God having "two different wills." One will in which He "hopes" with and the other will in which He "decrees" and forces things to happen with.
Thanks again for your insights into how simple verses about God's love for the world can be missed by those who follow a man named John Calvin, rather than the Scriptures themselves.
Carlos says: "God does not love each and every person the same".
Joe says: "God does love each and every person the same".
What does the Psalmist (Psalm 5:5), the Prophet Malachi (Malachi 1:2-3), and the Apostle Paul (Romans 9:13) have to say about this important question? What is the "plain meaning" of scripture there?
Soli Deo Gloria
Carlos
You decide...
@Carlos, Please show me in the book of Genesis where God says to Esau "I hate you." Meaning, Malachi almost 2,000 years later is referring to the cumulative actions of a "nation," not the choice of God to arbitrarily to "hate" a person- hence the reason for Paul quoting it in Romans 9.
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