The Gospel Is for All

Bill Hall

The church that pleases God will reach out to all classes of men: to the poor, the unfortunate, the depraved, to all who need salvation through Christ’s blood. It does not limit its influence to people who are socially are and economically compatible. The gospel is for all.

Jesus taught this lesson both in word and action. He showed as much concern for an immoral Samaritan woman as He did for a rich young ruler; as much concern for a publican named Zaccheus as He did for a Pharisee named Simon. His closest followers were from the poorer classes of society. Yet there were rich men who were influenced by Him too. He sought to bring all men to Himself. And, when He commissioned His apostles, He said, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15).

Christians do not find common ground in their social and economic standings, but in their mutual love for the Lord, their common faith, and in their shared hope of eternal life. When people truly love the Lord, distinctions of a worldly nature fade into nothingness. The rich man rejoices “in his humiliation,” while the brother of low degree rejoices “in his exaltation” the two reaching equality in Christ (James 1:9-10). If one cannot find room in his heart for people of all classes, there is something seriously lacking in his faith and devotion to the Lord.

The early church learned this lesson well. They preached to the poor as well as to the rich; to the lowly as well as to governors. Their converts included even the Samaritans and Gentiles. The grossly immoral were changed by the gospel. And, when some discourtesy was shown to the poor or the outcasts, stern rebukes were administered (Galatians 2:11-14; James 2:1-9).

Is there someone reading this article who feels “down and out,” who is sure no one cares for him because he is so poor, or has been so immoral, or is handicapped, or friendless? If you are that one, let me assure you that the Lord cares for you; and there are people who care about you too. The gospel is for you.

Is there someone reading this article who is embarrassed when some obviously poor individual, or someone of immoral reputation, or someone in unfortunate circumstances enters the worship assembly? If you are that one, you need to repent. With that kind of attitude, you would have felt very uncomfortable in the presence of the Lord while He upon the earth.

The church is to be made up of holy and godly people who strive to be like their Master. But the church reaches out to godless people of all classes in the hope that they can be transformed in Christ’s image and be saved eternally. “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners (I Timothy 1:15).