The Result of A Non Inclusive Mindset

The result of a non-inclusive mindset is division. We see it in religion, politics, and the world. The tribal mindset is a result of a non-inclusive mentality. Jesus has come that we may have life, and that we may have it more abundantly (John 10:10). This abundant life that Jesus speaks of is the life of God; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It's a life of other-centered-love; and other-centered-love, is inclusive love.

Christendom is guilty of this non-inclusive mindset. In Christendom, bad theology is prevalent. The bad theology that results from a non-inclusive mindset includes these two religious ideas: "I do it with God's help."  "I do my part, and God does his part." These are bad ideas, that lead to a non-inclusive mindset, and division. 

Let's look at the first phrase, "I do it with God's help." The "I do it" part, involves things that one must do to add to what  God has accomplished in Christ Jesus. This mentality comes from not understanding what the incarnation means. Many believe that after they do whatever it is they must do, then they are included; and since their inclusion is based on what they do, they can easily become excluded if they fail to do whatever it is they're told they must do perfectly enough. Different tribes say there are different things you must do if you want to be included, and stay included. This concept says that God wasn't God enough to do what he did - finish the job. It also denies that the incarnation is the union of God and man in one person. It denies that Jesus isn't really God in the flesh. Jesus is only an example that one must follow. It's Gnosticism, which says the holy God can never be united to man! So man must strive to reach the elusive God who continues to live in heaven; at a very great distance from human beings. 

Now let's examine the second phrase, "I do my part, and God does his part." This religious idea says that salvation is a fifty-fifty deal. God made a deal that you can "get to heaven" if you fulfill your part of the bargain. This is another bad idea. Again, Christendom determines what your part of the bargain is, and every denomination has different ideas. Again, this mentality denies what God completed in the incarnation, and atonement (at-one-ment). Salvation isn't a deal, it's a free gift (Rom. 6:23).

So what does inclusion really mean? We are included in the life of the Trinity, by what God has done in Jesus, the Christ. Jesus is the God-man. He is perfect theology. He is God's yes to man, and man's yes to God. Jesus is Reality! He said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life" (John 14:6 KJV¹). "For in him we live and move and exist." We are his children (Acts 17:28-29). There is no Reality outside of this. Everything that is real, is based on this Reality! As God's divine children, we're called to live in this reality. "This is eternal life," Jesus said, "that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent" (John 17:3). Only in your own mind can you live outside of Reality, because God's love for us is greater than our denial or ignorance of him. God has included you and me because he is other-centered-love; that's who he is. He's made himself one of us, and he will never change his mind. 

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1. Scripture references are in NASB, except where noted. 

Inclusion

In October, I attended "The Creed" conference hosted by John Crowder, and  C. Baxter Kruger. I'll sum up the conference in one quote by Dr. Kruger, who said, "The true hermeneutic is the Light of the World."  For me that means all Scripture is interpreted in Jesus' life, death, resurrection, ascension, and sending of the Spirit. Scripture doesn't interpret Scripture. Jesus interprets Scripture. Jesus is the Light of the World, the Light that shines in our darkness!

We read in Genesis 1:26-27, that God created human beings in his own image, and likeness. We are created in the image and likeness of God, after the God-kind. This makes us unique. We are different from any other creature that God has made. But in Genesis 6-7, the writer of Genesis tells us that the whole earth was filled with violence. Human beings had departed from who they were created to be, as God's children, made in his image and likeness. We're told that God brought a flood on the earth to destroy all that had breath; except for Noah, and those that went with him into the ark. However, when we read these passages through the true hermeneutic, Jesus, the Light of the World, we see much more. We see Noah, as a shadow of Christ, coming up out of the watery grave. Noah is a shadow of the new creation in Christ Jesus. The new creation that has been raised up with Christ. The new creation that is presently seated in the heavenly realm with Jesus. As the Apostle Paul tells us in ¹Ephesians 2:5-6,  For even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ, by grace you have been saved, and raised us up with him, and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. This means that even those who perished in the flood, have been raised up with Christ. We like them, were dead in our transgressions, but made alive in Christ.

There are no obstacles to keep us from being included in Christ. Evil, sin, and death, have all been defeated in Christ. Even our rejection of God has been defeated. God in Christ has said yes, even when we said no, and he continues to say yes when we say no. God's work in Christ is ongoing but completed in Christ. As we read in Revelation 13:8, last part (KJV), the Lamb slain from the  foundation of the world. 

So rejoice in the salvation of the Lord, as the Psalmist says: Psalm 96:1-3, Sing to the Lord a new song; Sing to the Lord all the earth. Sing to the Lord, bless his name; Proclaim good tidings of his salvation from day to day. Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples. 

¹All Scripture references in red, are NASB, except where noted.