You Are Not the Only One

Paul experienced so much dissension, threats, accusations, heretical preaching and teaching in every church that he planted that he had to appeal to Jerusalem (KKQ 390-392).

Galatians 3:28 (NIV) speaks to the inclusivity of The Body of Christ.  There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. We are “The Church” first, and then we are father, mother, sister, brother, citizen “Kane” or whatever NEVER! Why? Because who we are in Christ should be evident in all of those roles!

Our allegiance must be to the purity of the Gospel and nothing else! We cannot straddle the fence of political or religious correctness. We must stand up for the Holiness of Scripture without bashing others. We must speak and live as one, body, one spirit, and faith! We are not ourselves. We are no longer just “nationalist!” We are ambassadors of the Kingdom of God. The Body of Christ has become so political that the living, preaching, and teaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is becoming compromised because of our allegiance to political, and nationalistic alliances.

So, open your arms. Be the inclusive Church of The Living God. The Blood of Jesus was shed to cover every human being born from the day of His resurrection until the day when this earth is renewed (See Revelation 21). Are you glad that you are a part of The Family of God? Are you will to allow ALL type of people to enter into the “building” where you meet? Your inner circle of friends? You national sanctum? If not why not? Every day I make sure that I ask myself if I am an inclusivist or an exclusivist? Am I growing closer to God and learning to love people better or am I just being sheep and following the majority? “The People of The Way” have never been in the majority and they never will! So, read “The Bible” for yourself and know that we are called to be different. Know that people who are different will always be persecuted. We are supposed to stand up for the oppressed, the underdogs, the unwanted, the unloved – that is what Jesus would do! I have never been a person who spoke Christianese- to be quite blunt I always found that verbiage quite exclusive. I have so much to learn about how to love as God loves that I cannot afford to hinder anyone from accessing the “Cross” because of my behavior! Grace and peace to all this Sunday afternoon. If you have any questions about this devotional please feel free to contact us!

Reference

Köstenberger, Andreas J., L. Scott Kellum, and Charles L. Quarles. The Cradle, the Cross, and the Crown: An Introduction to the New Testament. Nashville, Tenn: B & H Academic, 2009.