Introductory lesson

THE INTERNATIONAL MESSAGE OF THE BIBLE

Introductory Lesson

by Jim O'Connor

No nation on earth can claim special favor from God. Though it is true that God chose, and protected, the nation of Israel for a period of time in history (this is the nation through whom the Messiah came into the world), it is no longer true. Salvation is not by race, but by grace (Luke 3:8, Ephesians 2:8-10).

AN INTERNATIONAL GOD

The God of heaven, in whom "we live, and move, and have our very being" (Acts 17:28), does not belong to any one nation on earth. Indeed, all nations belong to him.

"The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof; the world, and all they that dwell therein" (Psalms 24:1).

"Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the Lord’s thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is" (Deuteronomy 10:14).

For this reason the scriptures say "Let all the earth fear the Lord: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him" (Psalms 33:10). One cannot flee to any nation on earth to escape him, nor is it necessary to travel to any particular nation on earth to find him (Acts 17:27). Because of this truth we exclaim with David "O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!" (Psalms 8:9).

WITH INTERNATIONAL CONCERN

The Bible reveals to us that God is concerned about individuals in every nation on earth. It matters not what form of government they may be under; nor the color of their skin, style of their clothing, flavor of their food, or language they speak. The declaration that "...God so loved the world" (John 3:16) is enough to inform us that God's concern is for the entire human race - every individual on earth. "The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good" (Proverbs 15:3).

This international concern that God has for us is contrasted often with the "national gods" of the various nations; the idols which exist as a result of man's imagination and rebellion. In Psalms 115:5-7 we have the following reminder about idols:

"They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not: they have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not: they have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat."

The prophet Jeremiah made the contrast in these words: "They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.....But the Lord is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation. Thus shall ye say unto them, The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens. He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion" (Jeremiah 10:5, 10-12).

What a blessing it is to know that the God of heaven is not like the gods of men! He declared; "I am the Lord: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images" (Isaiah 42:8). It would be folly to think that the gods of men could show any concern for men. They have no life! But it is absolutely true that the God of heaven is concerned, and this truth permits men of all nations to rejoice and say, "My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth" (Psalms 121:2).

BECAUSE OF AN INTERNATIONAL NEED

Sin is not a national problem. It is not confined to any race of men, to any ethnic group, nor to any social level among men. The Bible declares:

"The Lord looketh down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one" (Psalms 14:2-3).

When we add to this the message of Romans 3:10-23, that ends with "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God," we realize that men and women of every nation are guilty of sin. The consequences of Adam's sin in the garden of Eden is still with us, but the guilt of Adam's sin is not ours. Men and women are guilty of their own personal sin, not the sin of their ancestors, their relatives, or their government leaders. Isaiah, a prophet of God, wrote:

"Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear; but your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear" (Isaiah 59:1-2).

Concerning this personal responsibility and personal guilt, the prophet Ezekiel wrote: "The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him" (Ezekiel 18:20). Personal guilt generates a personal need. Just being made aware of the international/universal need is not good news; but there is good news that follows.

PROVIDES AN INTERNATIONAL SOLUTION

Sin is a problem; but it is not a problem that has no answer. God has given us the answer in giving us his Son. The Bible says that "...God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). This is God's answer to the sin problem! He sent his Son to "taste death for every man" (Hebrews 2:9), to become "the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the whole world" (John 1:29). The act of mercy our God did willingly, out of love for us. What a thrilling and comforting truth this is! We must not foolishly ignore this divine act of love, mercy, and grace.

This divine solution to the human problem of sin is spoken of by Jesus in what is referred to as the "golden text of the Bible". Hear him:

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved" (John 3:16-17).

THROUGH AN INTERNATIONAL MESSAGE

The apostle Paul wrote: "For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe" (1 Corinthians 1:21). This message of salvation, called "the preaching of the cross" (1 Corinthians 1:18), preaching "the word" (2 Timothy 4:2), "the word of the gospel" (Acts 15:7), or simply "the gospel" (Mark 16:15; Romans 1:15-16), is to be preached in "all the world...to every creature" (Mark 16:15). This is due to God desiring to "have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth" (1 Timothy 2:4). That cross which stood on the crown of a small hill in the middle East is the source of hope for all people of all nations of the world. The gospel message - the death, burial, resurrection, and post-resurrection appearances of Jesus (I Corinthians 15:1-8), with the attendant blessing, promises, conditions, and warnings, is the greatest news ever released in this world. This message becomes meaningful to each person as he/she realizes that Jesus Christ died for him/her, and that certain things are required in response to this act of grace. The one seeking to be saved is to believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (John 6:29; 8:24); repent of sin (Luke 13:3,5; Acts 17:30); confess their faith (Matthew 10:32; Romans 10:9-10; Act 8:37); and be baptized for the remission of sin (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38, 22:16). This baptism is a burial in water (Romans 6:3-5, Colossians 2:12), from which one arises to walk in a new life. Every person (except infants and the mentally weak) is to comply with these conditions of pardon.

"Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; and being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him" (Hebrews 5:8-9).

"And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" (Luke 6:46).

One cannot ignore this international message of mercy without forfeiting the mercy that is available. God has only one scheme of redemption for all nations, and for all races in all nations.

TO PREPARE ALL MEN FOR AN INTERNATIONAL JUDGMENT

The time is coming when every person who has ever lived will stand before God in judgment. The scriptures declare that God commands all men everywhere to repent:

"Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto men, in that he hath raised him from the dead" (Acts 17:31).

The scope of this judgement is seen in that it will include every person (2 Corinthians 5:10), and every deed, whether good or bad (Ecclesiastes 12:14). The standard of this judgement will be the word of God (John 12:48; Romans 2:16).

None will be overlooked, none will escape this time of answering before the throne of God; therefore it is imperative that each person comply with the conditions of pardon, and continue to live with the Bible as his/her guide, in order to be able to stand before him unashamed on that day (I John 2:28).

"Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons; but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him" (Acts 10:34-35).

It is our hope that you will see the need to respond to the Lord's offer of grace. Do not delay. Your soul is at stake!

If you wish to obey the gospel, please contact the church of Christ near you. If there is none, please find someone to immerse you, as the Bible teaches, and contact us so that we may continue fellowship with you. The Lord will bless you as you serve him.

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