At times we get in our own way…
Sadly, there have been many examples where Christians have fallen into the trap of isolation and division. Even the first-century church had already begun to separate into schisms around rules and interpretations of scripture that excluded others. As humans, we gravitate toward like-minded people who share our views. This has the inevitable consequence of destroying communication with ‘outsiders’ and building barriers that get in the way of sharing the Gospel. This has become even more true in today’s ‘connected’ age.
Peter reminded the early church of their unique identity…
"But you are God's chosen and special people. You are a group of royal priests and a holy nation. God has brought you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Now you must tell all the wonderful things that he has done...
"Once you were nobody. Now you are God's people. At one time no one had pity on you. Now God has treated you with kindness…” 1 Peter 2:9-10
The great apostle Paul - the most effective missionary the church has ever known – understood the power of inclusion. He spoke to everyone, from fellow prisoners and slaves to King Agrippa, adapting his language but never changing his message. He famously said, “I am become all things to all men, that I may by all means save some.” (1Cor 9:22)
This doesn’t mean that we need to compromise our standards or deny our convictions. It means that we meet people where they are. The Gospel doesn’t require people to change first in order to receive God’s grace. We change as a result of grace, not as a condition for it.
It’s a pretty simple message – “Christ came to save sinners, of which I am chief!”
“Keep yourselves in the love of God; look forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. And have mercy on some who are wavering; save others by snatching them out of the fire; and have mercy on still others with fear…” (Jude 1:21-23)
The clip below from the 1960’s comedy Get Smart is brilliant. Enjoy...