This song sung by Teea Goans on Country Road TV titled ‘I Know the Lord will Stand By Me’ highlights Jesus’ International and Universal call of Salvation addressed to ‘Whosoever Will’. And who does ‘whosoever’ refer to? It refers to you and me, and to everyone in the World.
The Inclusive International Call of the Gospel of Jesus Christ
The message of the Gospel is a message of hope, love, and redemption for all people—regardless of ethnicity, race, nationality, or background. From Genesis to Revelation, God’s desire to reconcile humanity to Himself through Jesus Christ is not limited to a specific group, but extends to the whole world. The Bible clearly teaches that salvation through Jesus is offered to everyone who believes, and that all who accept Him are welcomed into the family of God.
1. God’s Heart for the Whole World
From the beginning, God’s redemptive plan included all nations. His covenant with Abraham reveals this intent:
“And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
— Genesis 12:3 (ESV)
This blessing would ultimately come through Jesus Christ, the promised seed of Abraham (Galatians 3:16), who would bring salvation not only to Israel but to every nation.
Jesus Himself affirms this mission:
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
— John 3:16 (ESV)
This verse is one of the clearest declarations of the universality of God’s love and His desire to save whoever believes—no qualifications of race, background, or nation.
2. Jesus Reached Across Ethnic Boundaries
Jesus broke social and cultural norms in His earthly ministry to reach those considered outsiders. In John 4, Jesus spoke with a Samaritan woman—a double outsider as both a Samaritan and a woman—and offered her the “living water” of eternal life:
“Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again.”
— John 4:13–14 (ESV)
Similarly, Jesus healed a Roman centurion’s servant (Matthew 8:5–13), praised the faith of a Canaanite woman (Matthew 15:21–28), and ministered in Gentile regions. He showed that the Gospel transcends boundaries.
3. The Cross Unites All People
The New Testament emphasizes that in Christ, earthly distinctions are irrelevant when it comes to salvation:
“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
— Galatians 3:28 (ESV)
“Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.”
— Colossians 3:11 (ESV)
Through the cross, Jesus made a new family—the Church—composed of people from every background who are adopted into the family of God by faith.
4. Salvation Comes by Faith, Not by Heritage
Paul makes it clear that salvation is not based on heritage, good works, or status, but purely by faith in Jesus Christ:
“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
— Romans 10:9 (ESV)
“For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
— Romans 10:13 (ESV)
The word “everyone” here means exactly what it says. No one is excluded from the invitation.
5. The Church: A Global, Multiethnic Family
The vision of heaven in Revelation reveals the ultimate outcome of God’s plan:
“After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes…”
— Revelation 7:9 (ESV)
This is the global church, the redeemed people of God, brought together by the blood of Jesus from every corner of the earth.
Conclusion: One Family in Christ
Jesus desires to save every person—regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, or background. The call to salvation is universal, and anyone who accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior is part of God’s family. As believers, we are called to reflect this inclusive love, sharing the Gospel with all and breaking down barriers that divide.
“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people…”
— Titus 2:11 (ESV)
There is no room for prejudice or partiality in the kingdom of God. The message is simple and powerful: Jesus saves—and He saves all who come to Him in faith.
