In life, we tend to classify people by race, nationality, gender, belief systems, social status, and the list goes one. But what about God? Does God ever classify people and if so, how? Some might say He does classify everyone by good or bad. But, then, who sets the standard? True He often refers to the righteous versus the unrighteous. But, then, what is the determination of righteous versus unrighteous. Afterall, did not Romans 3:10-11 declare: There is none righteous, no, not one. There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
So, what determines righteousness in God’s eyes? We know that faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness (Romans 4:9) and thus has been the case throughout the history of humanity.
Even Adam who walked and talked with God in the Garden did not comprehend the fullness of God’s Majestic Glory. If he had, he would never have chosen to disobey God. Yet, after Adam had sinned, God reached forth with grace. If Adam would believe God’s promise that a Savior would come, then he and all else who believed could be saved from the penalty for their sin.
Ah, did you not see that it was after God’s promise of a Savior, Adam named his wife Eve? Adam called his wife’s name Eve; because she was the mother of all living (Genesis 3:20). This was an act of faith; because, Adam knowing of good and evil now could see the absolute righteousness of God and knew the only hope for himself was a Savior, born of a virgin, not carrying his cursed heart of sin.
Does God Classify People Jew or Gentile?
We do know that God called out Abraham to establish a nation of people He would call His own people. In so doing, He called them out to be the ones to whom He gave His laws. His covenant with His people was that one day through them would come the Messiah, Immanuel (God with us).
Yet, part of His commission to them was they would live in such a manner as to draw others to God. Their lives were to be examples of faith for the world to see. But, alas, they often failed. Still, their failures as a peculiar people only showed forth the truth. People of their own volition could never live a life of righteousness. Our best righteousness is filthy rags, as Isaiah wrote.
But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away (Isaiah 64:6).
Therefore, God does classify people Jew or Gentile regarding His specific covenants in a sense. Because we know that Jesus will call forth 144,000 Jews whom He will seal and protect throughout the tribulation as His missionaries. Additionally, God will fulfill all His Promises to the Israelite Nation during the Millennial reign of Christ. However, when it comes to salvation, God is “no respecter of persons” (Acts 10:34, Deuteronomy 10:17, 2 Chronicles 19:7, Romans 2:11). His robe of righteousness God places upon all who by faith accept Jesus as Savior and Lord.
Salvation by Faith, Then and Now
In the Old Testament, it was a robe of righteousness given because of faith in the Messiah to come as promised by God Almighty. Today, we embrace the truth. Jesus Christ, God Incarnate, came to dwell among us, died upon a cross bearing the full weight of our sin, was buried and rose again the third day. He is seated now upon His throne in heaven at the right hand of the Father.
There is nothing that my guilty hands can bring to purchase my salvation. It is by grace and grace alone that I may come before the Father. Repenting of my sin, I accept the forgiveness provided by Jesus Christ’s purchase for me on the cross. Knowing all this, my heart humbly bows before Him as Lord and Master of my life. My will dies that His might live.
I lament daily that my heart is not fully, completely surrendered as it will be one day. Yet, it is that lamentation that brings me daily to my knees before His throne where I am reminded that In Christ Jesus, I have all that I could ever need. In Him I have joy, peace, hope, love and complete redemption. Christ in me the Hope of Glory! Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (Romans 5:1-2).
Does God Ever Classify People? If so, How?
So, in response to the initial question. God does classify people as His children or not based on whether they are saved. As many as received Him (Jesus Christ), to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name. Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God (John 1:12,13). All of humanity is given at least a glimpse of light as to who God truly is (Romans 1:20). Any who respond to that glimpse of light, desiring to know God more will be given greater light and knowledge. It is by faith you are saved.
But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:5-10)
Concluding Thoughts:
Therefore, God does not classify people according to their wealth, gender, nationality, social status, race, nor ethnicity. He does classify according to whether one has accepted His gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, His Son.
Do you know Jesus Christ as your Savior and your Lord? Do you believe Him to be God Incarnate, the only begotten Son of God who dwelt among us, died on a cross to pay the price for your sins, was buried, and then rose from the grave? Have you with a humbled heart cried out to Him for the forgiveness of your sins, knowing that He is the way, the truth and the life?
And so, the invitation is open to all to come. It does not matter who you are or what you have done, God’s invitation is to you.
Twitterable Quotes:
[tweetthis]Do you know Jesus Christ as Your Savior? Is He Lord of your Life?[/tweetthis]
[tweetthis]To find out how to be saved go to: https://myglorytoglory.com/how-to-be-saved/[/tweetthis]
[bctt tweet=”There is no one so lost that the Grace of God can’t save them if only they would believe in the name of Jesus Christ and accept Him as Savior and King ” username=”effiedarlene”]
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because, He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
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©Effie Darlene Barba, 2019
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