How to Show Care to the Jewish People (Part 1 of 4)
Many times in almost four decades of ministry Lori and I have been asked, “How can we reach the Jewish people (usually stated, 'the Jews') with the gospel?"
Recently – and the first time in memory – someone asked, “How do we love the Jewish people?” Related to that was the question, “Should we love Jews and Gentiles the same?”
Love is a wonderful prism through which Christians should view the subject of Jewish-Gentile relations. And of course we want our thinking to be informed by God’s Word.
To begin, I don’t think the spiritual needs of the Jewish people are greater than that of the Gentiles. “Both Jews and Gentiles are all under sin. There is none righteous, no not one" (Romans 3:9-10).
“For there is no distinction; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). All mankind is under God’s judgment. And the same solution to the sin which separates us from a holy God is available equally to both Jews and Gentiles: the atoning sacrifice of Yeshua (Jesus).
“…Being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Messiah Jesus" (Romans 3:24).
I also see no evidence that heaven rejoices more over a Jewish soul saved than a Gentile one. Both are made in God’s image. In Romans 4 the Apostle Paul emphasizes the fact that Abraham was:
justified by faith (vs. 9)
before he was circumcised (vs. 10)
so that he could be the father of faith to all who believe (vs. 11-12)
So, why do we make a distinction if circumcision (the sign of God’s covenant with Abraham’s descendants through Jacob) makes no difference for salvation (Galatians 5:6)?
Written by Wes Taber
This blog post is Part 1 of a 4-part blog series. To read Part 2, click HERE.