The path to God is open to all people, whether rich or poor, young or old. All it takes is respect for Him and love in our actions.
On Sunday, 25 May 2025, Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider conducted a divine service in Luanshya, Zambia attended by over 10,000 people. The sermon was based on Acts 10: 34–35: “Then Peter opened his mouth and said: ‘In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.’”
God wants to save us
Then as now, the following applies: “God loves all human beings with exactly the same love,” the Chief Apostle said. It does not matter which country or ethnic group you belong to, how old you are, whether you are rich or poor, healthy or ill, educated or uneducated, a woman or a man. God gives everyone the opportunity “to enter His kingdom and to have fellowship with Him in His glory”.
The Chief Apostle emphasised, “God does not need to change the situation that people live in.” He can save them all in the circumstances they live in. Of course, we all pray out of love for our fellow human beings and hope that God will help them and give them what they need in their respective situation. “Sometimes God answers our prayers, sometimes not,” the Chief Apostle added. “Don’t worry, even if your situation is very difficult, that will not hinder your salvation. God will and can save you.”
The path to salvation
The most important thing in order to be saved is that we fear God and behave in a righteous manner.
Fearing God. “What does it mean to fear God?” the Chief Apostle asked. “It means to have the proper respect for God.” We must be aware that He is the only one who is omnipotent and perfect, and that human beings are sinners. “Those who fear God are obedient.” They trust in God’s judgement as to what is good and evil. “Those who fear God are humble and are aware: I am everything but perfect.” Everyone does both good and evil, and is therefore dependent on the Lord’s grace. God is the truth: “He does what He says and says what He does.”
Exercising justice. Anyone who wants to be righteous must believe in Jesus Christ, His teaching, His sacrifice, His resurrection, and His return: “Without faith it is impossible to become righteous.” An upright Christian is someone who follows Christ in order to attain eternal life, not to improve his or her life on earth. “To be saved, you must become like Christ, for He is righteous.”
The behaviour of the righteous
In His discourse on the Last Judgement (Matthew 25: 34–46), Jesus Christ gives specific examples of how the righteous behave. This includes:
Helping the poor. “True love consists not only of words and prayers but is manifested in deeds.” The righteous try to improve situations, provide comprehensive help, and try to alleviate the suffering of others out of love. Jesus said, “Do to others want you want them to do to you.” Everyone has a need to be noticed and respected, and to experience forgiveness and love. “Give them what they need,” the Chief Apostle said. Show them consideration and respect.
Being open towards strangers. “A stranger is anyone who is not like us.” The righteous welcome strangers and let them in. Even if they are different, we must not ask them to change. God loves them and wants to save them as they are. “We cannot be more demanding than God,” the Chief Apostle said. The most important thing is to have the right attitude, to see others for what they are: a person, an individual, not just a member of a certain group.
Visiting the sick and those in prison. “I was sick and you visited Me,” Jesus said. The Chief Apostle said that it is not our mission to solve everyone’s problems. Nevertheless, we must confront their suffering and hardship. “The righteous are those who share in the suffering of others, who comfort, and help them.”
Those who have done something wrong and are now suffering the consequences of their wrongdoing are in prison, so to speak. It is not our mission to change these things. Nor is it our mission to accuse or punish them, the Chief Apostle said. “Our mission is to visit them and show them compassion.” After all, everyone needs grace.
