The Inclusion of All


The Inclusion of All

Overcoming stereotypes and prejudices is an ongoing battle in the hearts, minds, and lives of many people.
Religious people have to learn to overcome these things in order to be effective witnesses of their faith to others.

Jesus Christ, when he came to Earth, established the right of all people everywhere to believe by faith in him and the salvation that God the Father provides through his only begotten Son.  The account of the facts surrounding his nativity relate us the message of hope delivered by the angels that night long ago, ‘good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people’. How soon did humans forget the truth received in such a momentous occasion.  The Angels sang from the heavens, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men’.

Menno Simon, an early Anabaptist leader from the Netherlands wrote long ago that,
'All those who firmly believe the great love of God, and confess that Christ Jesus is the true Son of the living God, are in God, and God is in them, they are freed from the wrath of God, and have eternal life;'

The availability of Christ’s love is made free to all who believe.  Another place in scripture speaks of there being ‘neither Jew nor Greek, …neither bond nor free, …neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.’ Galatians 3:28
This inclusion of all is a promise of hope and blessing, encouraging Christians everywhere to feel the acceptance of God Almighty in their lives as they have believed.

Many there be who would speak against people with same gender attraction, citing that they are none of Christ’s or that their actions make them excluded from God.
The verses of scripture and even the testimony of early Church leaders clearly states otherwise.

No where in the Bible is it stated that because an individual loves someone of the same gender they are excluded from Christ.  In fact, the Bible clearly admonishes people to love one another, even as Christ loved His church and died for it.  Loving Jesus and loving our fellow neighbor is totally compatible and very Christian.

May we each day be encouraged to love Jesus Christ, believing in him, and loving one another as ourselves.  This is the inclusion we should be a part of, and this is when great joy shall be to all men, and peace on earth.

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