Romans 15:4-13 (NASB)
4 For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 5 Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, 6 so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God. 8 For I say that Christ has become a servant to the circumcision on behalf of the truth of God to confirm the promises given to the fathers, 9 and for the Gentiles to glorify God for His mercy; as it is written,
“Therefore I will give praise to You among the Gentiles,
And I will sing to Your name.”
10 Again he says,
“Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people.”
11 And again,
“Praise the Lord all you Gentiles,
And let all the peoples praise Him.”
12 Again Isaiah says,
“There shall come the root of Jesse,
And He who arises to rule over the Gentiles,
In Him shall the Gentiles hope.”
13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Paul reminds us that the Scripture has been written for our instruction. He was talking about the Jewish Law and the Prophets—the Old Testament—as the New Testament had not yet been written. Yet in the Old Testament, God told His people that He is the Lord of the Gentiles as well as the Jews. Jesus was sent to the whole world, not just God’s Chosen People. We Gentiles (non-Jews) have hope because God’s promises apply to us as well as to the Jews. When Jesus comes again in glory, He will judge all the nations and all the peoples. We have that great hope because of His promises to us. We don’t have question our place in God’s Kingdom. If we have accepted Him as our Lord and Savior, we are part of His Kingdom.
Thank You, Lord, for including us in Your Kingdom. You didn’t send Jesus just for the Jews, and when He comes again, He won’t be just for Jews. Everyone who makes Him Lord of their life will spend eternity in Heaven with You, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost. As we wait for Jesus’s return, help us prepare our hearts and minds to be ready. In His name we pray. Amen.
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