Jesus for the Jews…and Gentiles

The next section speaks to how the idea of glorifying God with one mind and one mouth was evident in the work that God did in the hearts of the Jews and the Gentiles, or non-Jewish people. In the beginning of the church this was a big issue but I think that Paul is reflecting back and praising God for the fact that His salvation and work is for both and that both Jews and Gentiles can glorify God together.  He reminds the Romans that Jesus came first to the Jews but then He shows them several examples of Old Testament passages which declare salvation for the Gentiles. Here are verses 7-13:  “⁷ Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God. ⁸ Now I say that Jesus Christ has become a servant to the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the fathers, ⁹ and that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy, as it is written:  “For this reason I will confess to You among the Gentiles,  And sing to Your name.”  ¹⁰ And again he says:  “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people!”  ¹¹ And again: “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles! Laud Him, all you peoples!”  ¹² And again, Isaiah says:  “There shall be a root of Jesse;  And He who shall rise to reign over the Gentiles,  In Him the Gentiles shall hope.”  ¹³ Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” 

There are no distinctions in the mind of God as to the power of the gospel to change and transform lives. The gospel changes both Jew and Gentile, black and white, rich and poor.  This is intended to fill us with “joy and peace in believing”.  The answer to racial and ethnic strife is not political or even human in nature…it is the gospel.  It is important for Jesus followers to share the gospel so that others can be transformed and for Jesus followers to obey the truth of the gospel so that we are not stumbling blocks for those watching.