Good News for Everyone

May 30

(Acts 11:20 NIV) "Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus."

(Romans 1:16-17 NIV) "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. {17} For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith.""

(Romans 10:11-13 NIV) "As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." {12} For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile--the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, {13} for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.""

Not everyone scattered by persecution shared the good news. Some shared only with those who were just like them. But others told the gospel to non-Jewish people. They shared the good news with everyone, and many Greeks in Antioch came to faith in Christ. The church opened its doors to those who had previously been excluded, and they came in. We honor God by sharing our faith with everyone around us. Ask the Spirit to free your muted tongue. Tell your story to everyone who will listen. Stop trying to be like everyone else and start being who you’ve been called to be. Stop trying to be liked by everyone and begin loving others enough to tell them the truth. Open your church to those who wouldn’t be welcomed in other places. Share the gospel with those that others consider undesirable. That’s what the castaway Christians did in Antioch. We can do the same. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day