The church here at Cold Harbor sponsors a weekly broadcast of the International Gospel Hour (check out the broadcast schedule as you can probably pick up a signal wherever you many be). The program is aired on the 50,000-watt WRVA 1140 AM, known as "Richmond's Talk Leader." This means we have a significant listening audience every Sunday throughout the mid-Atlantic region and beyond.
Winford Claiborne does a superb job of addressing subjects that pique the audience's interest from a Biblical point-of-view. Since the program began airing here in the Richmond area around the first of January, we have had a good number of contacts from non-Christians who describe themselves as regular listeners. More often than not, these individuals speak favorably of the program. Sometimes, they have questions regarding something they heard taught on the broadcast, and we are always pleased to help with a Bible answer.
This past Tuesday morning, I received a call from a very nice gentleman who had been listening to the broadcast earlier in the week. Brother Claiborne had been teaching from the Scriptures regarding the present nation of Israel as it relates to the plan of God. The system of doctrine known as "Pre-Millenialism" (as well as other inter-related versions) asserts that full and unconditional political and economic aid must be given to the modern state of Israel if we are to be pleasing unto God (see the image inset above). Our caller did not understand how Winford could conclude that modern-day Israel is no more a "chosen" nation than any other.
The Bible says...
"For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, since God is one. He will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law."
Romans 3:28-31, ESV
Verse 29 makes clear, then, that God is not the God of "National Israel" in some special, exclusive sense. Verse 31 explains that the law had already at that time seen its purpose accomplished. It (the law) was a "guardian" or "tutor" until Christ came (Galatians 3:24). Once the law was fulfilled by Christ (Matthew 5:17), it was nailed to the cross (Colossians 2:14-17) and removed that a more superior system might be established (Hebrews 10:9).
What a beautiful arrangement God has established under the new covenant. In the eyes of the Lord, it matters not whether you and I are Jews nor Gentiles, slave nor free, male nor female (Galatians 3:28). We all enjoy equal inheritance and a common salvation in Christ!
R2
