“For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’ And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.”
– Acts 13:47-48
The Gentiles in the audience rejoiced at Paul’s words, because they understood that they were included in God’s plan! To the extent they’d previously known about God, they knew they weren’t part of His family or plan for the world. They’d always been outsiders, different, and separated from the holy God of Israel. All that is changed through Jesus Christ!
In quoting the Old Testament, Paul explained that God’s plan had always been to include them through the appointed Messiah. At last, their time had arrived, and all who believed in Jesus would receive eternal life!
This remains true today. Nobody is outside of God’s plan if they will simply put their faith in Jesus Christ. So, who do you know that needs to hear the good news that they’re included in God’s plan? Who do you know that thinks there’s no way God could ever accept them or love them? Share this good news and introduce them to Jesus, the One through Whom we’re washed clean and adopted into God’s family.