For “Everyone who calls upon the name of Adonai shall be saved.” Romans 10:13, TLV

Everyone? Back when Paul wrote this, it was considered quite controversial. Gentiles? Those pagans who worshipped other gods? The ones God forbade them to associate with? Even them?

But the critics of the Jewish emissaries to the nations, were wrong. Just as the set time had come for the Messiah, so had the set time come for the redemption of the world.

Jesus not only came as our atonement — the sacrificial Lamb — He ushered in a new age. The age we are living in today. An age where ANYONE can be adopted into God’s family.

What does that mean for us? The contemporary version of this would be our greatest enemy calling on the name of the Lord and being saved. Would we embrace them as family?

That would give most of us pause, yes? I know it would me. But if we don’t understand what redemption and forgiveness are then we don’t understand our Father and His Son. We can become prideful and critical, just as those confused Jewish leaders so long ago.

When seeds of God’s Good News are scattered, we never know what will spring up. Let’s be sure we don’t stomp on the new seedlings.