In Paul’s letter to the Romans he writes that he has a burning desire and longing for the salvation of Israel. Their salvation was possible. They could be saved. Their rejection of Jesus Christ was not a lost cause. The door of salvation is open to all men and women, Jew as well as Gentile.

The steps toward salvation were simple: confession and belief that Jesus Christ died and rose again. Through this, salvation would be possible. The great opportunity for salvation is available to all persons.

This God, this Jesus, is God of all regardless of race, creed, color, or national origin. Everyone who calls will be saved, moral or immoral, just or unjust, rich or poor, pretty or ugly, sick or well. Anyone who cries out with a deep-rooted call from the heart could be elevated to a Utopian experience on earth.

The access to salvation by all persons is the bond that ties all of us together. There may be some things on earth that are restricted to certain socio-economic groupings or levels of education, but Jesus is there for all of us to grab hold to and can save us from sin and destruction.

By Rev. Joseph Brown, Sr., Pastor, Presiding Elder, Dunn-Lillington District, A.M.E. Zion Church, Fayetteville, NC]