The Gospel Is For All

           “The Gospel Is For All” is a well-known hymn written by J.M. McCaleb. The song extols the universal nature of the gospel of Christ.  Here are the words to the first verse followed by the chorus: “Of one the Lord has made the race, thru’ one has come the fall;

where sin has gone must go His grace; the Gospel is for all. The blessèd Gospel is for all, the Gospel is for all; where sin has gone must go His grace; the Gospel is for all.

            The wide-ranging scope of the gospel is a theme that is emphasized throughout the book of Acts, especially in chapter 10 through the interaction between Peter and Cornelius.  In the early part of the chapter, the apostle is puzzled over the meaning of a vision God gives him about eating unclean food (10:17).  A delegation from Cornelius arrives while he is mulling it all over in his mind and the Spirit directs him to go with them.  After conversing with the centurion for a bit about the situation, it begins to dawn on Peter what is going on.  It’s at that point that he says: “I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him” (Acts 10:34-35).  Later in his speech, Peter reaffirms that forgiveness is for “...everyone who believes in Him (Christ)” (10:43).

            Every sinner needs the gospel, regardless of ethnicity, gender, or social class.  And, due to that fact, God wants the good news spread far and wide.  Following His resurrection, Jesus instructed the apostles to “...go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation (Mark 16:15).  And to their credit, they did exactly that.  When the apostle Paul wrote to the Colossian believers some years later, he spoke of the hope of the gospel “...which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven…” (Colossians 1:23).  I’m grateful the gospel is for all.

 

God loves you!

Mike