BIBLICAL BRIEFS 120
God is unable to demonstrate undue favour or unfairness; with Him one man is not different from another, as Rom. 2:11 clearly explains. From the point of view of God, He does not treat people differently, and does not favour one person or group over another. God has entrusted his original plan of salvation to the nation of Israel. He chose Israel from all the nations of the earth, for a particular reason: “The LORD your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession. The LORD did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the least of all peoples.” (Deut. 6:6-7). It seems to be God’s preference for Israel particularly, but the fact that God chose Israel was primarily to let the kingdom of God come for ALL nations and people. In other words, Israel as a chosen nation was the instrument of bringing back all the other wicked nations in relation to God. This was indeed an important part of the promise made by God to Abraham: that all the nations of the world will be blessed in him (Gen. 18:18). In the Talmud, it is described as follows: “The Jewish people went into exile only in order to make converts, meaning to teach the nations faith in the One God.” (Babylonian Talmud, Pesachim 87b). The gospel of God is described by Peter in Acts. 15:9 where he addresses the Jews: “He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith.” In Rom. 10:12 Paul also unequivocally says, “For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile–the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him.” John. 3:16 explains that God loves “the whole world” and therefore sent His Son. The gospel of the Son also proves no privilege in terms of an special favouritism. Tit. 2:11 – “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.” The Message paraphrases it like this: “God’s readiness to give and forgive is now public. Salvation’s available to everyone!” It cannot be expressed simpler than in Rom. 3:22 – “This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference …”
Dr Tom Gouws
