Chemical agents like mustard gas and agent-orange have caused millions of people to die. So have some viruses like influenza, smallpox, and HIV. By contrast, the Apostle Paul describes the Gospel as God’s agent to give life to all who accept it. He calls the Gospel God’s power to save everyone who believes it. God declares in His Word that all human nature is bankrupt. We are incapable of satisfying God’s righteous demands in order to find favor with Him. In Romans CH. 1, Paul expresses his delight that in the Good News, God offers forgiveness of sins to everyone who believes-Jews and Gentiles, civilized and uncivilized, educated and uneducated alike. And all who accept Jesus Christ as their Savior find favor with God and become members of Christ’s body, the church. Paul’s worldview and mission excluded no one. Sadly, some professing believers today ignore the inclusive nature of the church. They tend to regard their gathering as a social club and welcome only those who are like them. But when we understand the Gospel as it really is, barriers fall, and all followers of Christ are regarded as family-God’s family.
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr.
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr. is the founder and chairman of UMI (Urban Ministries, Inc.). Under his direction, UMI has grown to be a leading publisher of Christian education resources for churches in the African American community. Read More
