Skip to main content

Exclusive Inclusivity

 


Is there another way to God the Father? Many times today we hear about the many ways to God. In the name of inclusivity, we often accept all messages, under the desire to be loving, to provide a path for all people to be able to "go to heaven". So how is the gospel inclusive in a world where people want to feel more included? Well, the gospel is exclusive inclusivity.

Jesus states in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." He also states in John 10:9, "I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture." From these verses, we clearly see that Jesus is stating He is the only way to the Father. It is not our good behavior, our good works, or any other way. Jesus gives us a one-way sign. If we want to "be saved" and come to the Father, we must enter through the gate of Jesus. This is the portion that is exclusive.

However, in Jesus there is inclusivity. Jonh 3:16 states, "For God so loved that world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." The inclusivity is that anyone can choose to walk out life with Jesus through love and obedience to Him and His word. Red and Yellow, Black and White, we're all precious in His sight. As we walk through the door and obey Jesus's word we find ourselves included in an exclusive group. So let us not continue to deceive people into believing that there is more than one way to the Father, but that all are welcome. The "hard part" is that once we come through the door we are not expected to stay the same. 

I pray that we would all come through the Son to the Father, and never be the same again. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

I've carried this before

 This is too heavy for me! That is what I thought to myself as I felt the 45 lb dumbells in my hands seem to slide with each shrug of my shoulders. I stood there shrugging my shoulders, trying to finish up the last set of my third rep. I don't know if it was the lack of sleep, my disinterest in working out, or some combination of both that made me feel like I was about to drop the weights on the floor. I could picture the weights slipping from my hands, bouncing on the floor, and crushing my foot. I could picture hobbling over to the car and driving to the emergency room as my shoe filled with blood and pain. I could picture my wife's concern at my injury, and my concern at the medical bill I would have to pay with our meager income. I pictured having to miss work opportunities and all the misery this injury would cause. It was going to be a miserable life from this point on. Then I realized, "I've carried this weight before." Not only had I done this workout befo...
Post a Comment
Read more

Are We Under Attack?

 It's that time of year again. Yes, it is time for trees, lights, and presents; but, it is also time for stories about why Christians should be on guard. We will soon hear about some other "war" on Christianity. We will be made to feel like we should be upset because people say "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas". We will be told to feel persecuted because the word "Christmas" is not found on holiday cups at our local coffee places. As American Christians, there seems to be a constant battle against the culture which seems to be heading into a post-Christian or sometimes anti-Christian worldview. Yet, are we really under attack? Sometimes it is hard for me, from the comfort of America, with my freedom to follow Christ, to feel like I am under attack. I read how in China pastors are drowned in urine for the gospel. People in other countries must hide their Bibles for fear of being reported and jailed by their own families. Furthermor...
Post a Comment
Read more

Weeping

 I recently heard a song about how weeping endures for a night, but only one night though. I'm not knocking the song, but I often wish it was only for a night though. Sometimes that night is an extremely long night. Sometimes tears are all we have to offer for the situation. Sometimes every teardrop is a desperate prayer for something to change in our lives.  I have to be honest. I don't always cry. Sometimes a reaction video to a returning soldier or a children's adoption video will get me, but most of the time I am pretty logical. However, in this season I have found myself crying a bit more than usual. Not getting the job, not getting my wife pregnant, not having certainty about how I am going to pay the bills, and carrying it all on my shoulders. I can tell my wife it will be better, but in my heart fear, frustration, and disappointment come together to create weeping in the privacy of my solitude. Every tear is a cry for help from my heavenly Father. I don't unders...
Post a Comment
Read more