But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. (Genesis 2:17 KJV)
We have heard of positive thinking and all its benefits. Yet in the perfect world of the garden of Eden, God introduced the first negative. He said, "thou shalt not".
As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" Jesus answered, "It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. (John 9:1-3 ESV)
Many people believe in karma because it seems so just. Even the disciples of Jesus believe in karma. When a man is blind, it must be caused by some sin.
Karma is false. But this is true.
Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: "It was necessary to speak the word of God to you first. But since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. (Acts 13:46 BSB)
Before resurrection
Jesus sent out these twelve after giving them instructions: "Don't take the road that leads to the Gentiles, and don't enter any Samaritan town. Instead, go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, proclaim, 'The kingdom of heaven has come near.' (Matthew 10:5-7 CSB)
After resurrection
And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:18-20 ESV)
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. (Romans 1:16 NIV)
You will be hated by everyone because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to another. For truly I tell you, you will not have gone through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. (Matthew 10:22-23 CSB)
And all nations will hate you because you are my followers. But everyone who endures to the end will be saved. When you are persecuted in one town, flee to the next. I tell you the truth, the Son of Man will return before you have reached all the towns of Israel. (Matthew 10:22-23 NLT)
The listeners thought that this will happened during their lifetime. It turned out that before Jesus can return, He was crucified, resurrected and ascended to heaven. Israel was dispersed and returned after nearly 2000 years. And after 2000 years, Christian missionaries still have not reached all the towns of Israel and not all the Jews believe (but Jews have heard of Jesus during their diaspora). But when Jesus returns, they will all believe in a single day (Isaiah 66:8).
The gospel goes west from Israel to Macedonia (Acts 16:9) and Europe, go one round the earth and comes back to Israel from the east. So the Arabs and Iranians will believe in Christ first before the Jews.
For as the lightning flashes in the east and shines to the west, so it will be when the Son of Man comes. (Matthew 24:27 NLT)
