To the Jew First, And Also to the Gentile
God sends no one to hell; people send themselves to hell and “judge themselves unworthy of everlasting life.” The Lord desires everyone to be saved. He wants all to come to repentance (1 Tim. 2:4, 2 Pet. 3:9), but when men and women refuse God's gracious offer of pardon, they have elected not to go to heaven.
Here Paul is quoting Isaiah 49:6. This verse is prophetic of Christ being a light to the Gentiles, yet Paul applies this same verse to himself. At times God will quicken verses to us as well which actually belong to Christ. That is because Christ “divides the spoil with the strong” (Isa. 53:12), with his overcomers. He shares His ministry with the saints. Not only are the heathen His inheritance, the heathen become our inheritance also as we walk with God (Psa. 2:8). We are co-laborers with the Lord (1 Cor. 3:9). We work together in His harvest field. Some plant, others water, but it is God who gives the increase.
The fire was spreading all around that region. Everyone who was going to say yes to Christ, did so. Saturation point had been reached. “As many as were ordained to eternal life believed.” God knows who is going to accept or reject Him. Now the apostles could move on to another ripe field … after a little friendly persuasion.
Created 3 months ago
