He [The Lord] says: “It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.” (Isaiah 49: 6 NIV) …
For this is what the Lord has commanded us: “‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’]” When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed. (Acts 13: 47-48 NIV)
Through the Prophet Isaiah, God speaks of a time in the future, saying, “I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”
The Book of Isaiah addresses the people of Israel. But, today’s Scripture from Isaiah Chapter 49 is clear that Salvation was God’s plan for the Gentiles (people that are not Israelites), as well as the Israelites. In 2 Peter 3:9, God spoke these words, “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.”
Then, in the Book of Acts, the Lord says, “I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”
What happened between Isaiah’s Prophesy and the Book of Acts, to change the Lord’s message from speaking of what he WILL do, to what He HAS DONE?
During that period of time, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14) He [Jesus] was crucified, resurrected from the dead and ascended to sit at the right hand of God the Father in heaven for all of eternity.
These Scriptures from Isaiah and Acts assure us that the message of the Gospel, which is Salvation through Jesus Christ, is for everyone regardless of their ancestry. This agrees with Philippians 2:9-11, which says, “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Emphasis mine)
Have you chosen to surrender to the One whose name is above every other name? Do you confess that Jesus Christ is Lord? Do you respect Him and the holiness of His name?
Before the time came that I would be able to answer ‘yes’ to these questions, I grappled with the fear that I would be rejected by my peers. The truth is that some people did reject me for my faith in Jesus, but others didn’t. Since that time, I know peace, hope and joy, which only comes from Him. And, I’ve made many other friendships. I’ve never regretted that decision for a moment. I take comfort in knowing that these issues are only momentary, compared to spending all of eternity with Jesus.
The other reason that I hesitated to surrender my life to Christ was my own sense of guilt for mistakes I’d made. That heightened my sense of unworthiness to be loved and accepted by God. My next blog will be entitled, “He made YOU His Child,” and I will share about how The Lord revealed the truth to me about being His Child, and how that has been life-changing for me.
My prayer is, “Lord, thank you for Jesus and my Salvation, which is possible because of Him. Please help us know the love that you have for each of us. Please draw us into deeper surrender to you, and give us the peace, hope and joy that only You can give. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.
