Morning Devotion: Universal love

There are all sorts of theological arguments floating around about the status of Jerusalem after the second coming of Christ.

Some believe the Bible teaches a physical, earthly world capital will be established in a perfect format.

Some believe the Bible teaches that everything physical will be destroyed by fire and the new Jerusalem is a figurative term for heaven.

And, of course, there are variant interpretations between those two views.

Regardless of your view, the universal love of God was affirmed this morning during my Bible reading.

You see, we serve a God who who is incredibly gracious and non-discriminatory, a God who loves everybody the same, regardless of whether they accept His message of salvation and ultimately inherit eternal life.

When the final Jerusalem is established up there or, as some believe, down here, it will have people of all sorts.

Why? Because God made people of all sorts and Jesus died for people of all sorts.

Here’s the psalmist’s view on God’s universal love:

“I will count Egypt and Babylon among those who know me — also Philistia and Tyre, and even distant Ethiopia. They have all become citizens of Jerusalem! Regarding Jerusalem it will be said, “Everyone enjoys the rights of citizenship there.” And the Most High will personally bless this city. When the Lord registers the nations, He will say, “They have all become citizens of Jerusalem.” (Psalm 87:4-6)

The day is coming when all will stand before the Lord and those whose names have been registered in the Lamb’s Book of Life will be known as citizens of heaven, of “Jerusalem.”

People from all nations — even those nations with a history of opposition to God’s will — will be welcomed despite their individual sins. Why? Because they have welcomed Jesus Christ into their hearts as Lord and Savior.

If God is willing to let past offenses go after people of every culture or color seek reconciliation and confer on them the priceless blessings of heaven, then we should do the same.

Please, my friend, don’t look at the outside of a person when considering whether to share your love and help. Look at the heart. For that’s what God did when He picked David.

That’s what Jesus did when He chose to love and save sinners.

And that’s what we’re called to do.