Transformed – teen devotion – January 5, 2025

Jesus came to be a Savior for all people.

“Praise be to the LORD your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on the throne of Israel. Because of the LORD’s eternal love for Israel, he has made you king to maintain justice and righteousness.”

1 Kings 10:9

The Gift of God is for All People

Christianity is both the most exclusive religion in the world and the most inclusive religion in the world.

What does that mean? Consider this: there are only two groups of people in the world. There are those who believe in Jesus as their Savior and those who do not. Those who do not believe in Jesus

when they die will face punishment in hell. In that way, Christianity is exclusive.

At the same time, Christianity is the most inclusive religion in the world. Christ’s sacrifice on the cross was payment for the sins of the whole world no matter someone’s race or language. No one is excluded. In that way, it is the most inclusive religion in the whole world.

The words from 1 Kings above were spoken by a gentile queen. She was not Jewish, but she had heard of Solomon’s great wisdom, so she traveled a long distance to come and learn from him.

When she saw the wisdom God had given to Solomon and all the ways he had blessed Israel, she spoke the words above. She wasn’t from Israel, but she praised the true God.

On Christmas Eve the angel told the shepherds, “I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” (Luke 2:10)

The good news of Jesus is for everyone. It doesn’t matter if you were born in America or China, Africa or the Middle East. It doesn’t matter if you were born and raised a Christian or if you didn’t hear the gospel until you were older. It doesn’t matter if your past is littered with mistakes.

The good news of Jesus is for all people, and that includes you.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, you came to be a Savior for all people. Help me to see everyone as someone that you came to die to save. Amen.