God said this to Abraham, “As for me, behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be a father of MANY NATIONS.” (Genesis 17:4) This verse focuses upon the word NATIONS (gôy: non-Hebrew people) , which is a non-Jew, a Gentile.
Therefore, the following scripture applies to JEW AND GENTILE, “You must be HOLY because I, the LORD, AM HOLY. I have SET YOU APART from all other people TO BE MY VERY OWN.” (Lev. 20:26)
For what reason did He set us apart? “…YOU ARE a CHOSEN GENERATION, a ROYAL PRIESTHOOD, a HOLY NATION, His own SPECIAL PEOPLE, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once WERE NOT A PEOPLE but are now THE PEOPLE OF GOD, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.” (1 Peter 2:9-10) So, just how did we obtain that mercy? By the offering up of Jesus Christ, “Christ came into the world and said to God, “You did not want animal sacrifices or sin offerings. But YOU HAVE GIVEN ME A BODY TO OFFER.” (Heb. 10:5) “Christ was offered ONCE for all time as a sacrifice TO TAKE AWAY THE SINS OF MANY…” (Heb. 9:28)
For what other purpose did Jesus come? “Jesus…asked His disciples, “Who do men say that I am?” they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah…He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter (petros: a small stone), and on this rock (petra: a solid, immovable rock) I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail (katischyō: to be superior in strength) against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and WHATEVER YOU BIND on earth WILL BE BOUND in heaven, and WHATEVER YOU LOOSE on earth WILL BE LOOSED in heaven.” (Matt. 16:13-19) For you see, “Jesus is the image of the invisible God…He is the HEAD OF THE CHURCH, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that IN ALL THINGS He may have the preeminence (superiority).” (Col. 1:15-18)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham