A Global Savior

A Global Savior

He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

1 John 2:2

IN WORD Some Christians go to extremes in their understanding of personal salvation. It becomes too individualized and not broad enough to include many others. The Pharisees made that mistake: They thought salvation was for the Jews alone, not just as a chosen vehicle of revelation to the world, but as revelation’s final destination. They had forgotten God’s promise to bless many nations through Abraham (Genesis 12:3). And we can do the same thing. Though we won’t say it, we often think of salvation as being for those who look like us or think like us—whoever “us” happens to be. Our horizon isn’t broad enough, and our tent isn’t large enough. We need to remember: When Jesus told His disciples to go to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8), He really meant the ends of the earth.

Jesus’ parable in Luke 14:15-24 gives us a picture of God that many of us believe in our minds but not in our hearts. The God in this parable searches hedges and highways for those who will come to His banquet. The “preferred” guest list isn’t sufficient. Even the riffraff are invited.

IN DEED How exclusive is your salvation? Do you find it satisfying enough just to have it? Or do you burn with a desire to share it and to see it spread both next door and around the globe? The Gospels tell us that God is like a woman searching for a lost coin, or a shepherd going to great lengths to restore his wayward sheep. The value of the coin isn’t the issue, and neither are the distance and the dirtiness of the sheep. All that matters to this God is finding people with open hearts and hearing ears.

True worship of God will always embrace His global mission. No place on this planet is beyond the great commission (Matthew 28:19). No class or caste is beneath His grace. He is relentless in the offer of His salvation. So must we be.

My parish is the gutter.

—DAVID WILKERSON