Exclusive Inclusion

This morning I was thinking about Jesus' claims that the Kingdom of God has a narrow entry point, that many will find the wide gate that leads to destruction, but that few will find the narrow gate that leads to life (Matthew 7:13-14). Jesus tells us that no one comes to the Father except through Jesus Himself (John 14:6). And if we look at the Old Testament, Israel was chosen as God's special people from very early on! If you weren't a part of the nation of Israel, you were not one of God's people, and therefore had no place with Him

For many, this concept of exclusivity is offensive. Some have been the outcast and hurt that they were not included. Others like to do it their own way, and the thought of having to do life on someone else's terms takes away that control.

But we forget that in all of time, God has always reached out to those who were not yet a part of His people and kingdom. One example of this was the Passover. This was a time when God was clearly drawing a line between those who were with Him, and those who were not. In one night, God's spirit would pass through the nation of Egypt, killing every firstborn male UNLESS there was blood on the doorpost to signal that those inside the house were His. (Note: it's not as if God didn't know who was His, but that's a discussion for another time)

In this instance, especially looking at Exodus 12, we see instructions on how 'strangers' were to prepare to be a part of the Passover so that they would experience life, not death. And yes, there were expectations about behaviour. They were becoming a part of Israel, a nation with a God who gives laws (though at this point The Law had not yet been given). They were becoming a part of the exclusive, chosen, people of God!

Throughout the Old Testament we read of God's welcoming in of the stranger who would choose to become part of His people. Two of my favorites are Rahab and Ruth. Those stories are so foundational to showing this part of God's character, and they are a part of the lineage of Jesus Christ, revealing that God not only welcomes outsiders, but He also has important plans for them.

Throughout the New Testament, the Gospel, or good news, of Jesus' death and resurrection is preached to many people. We read the exclusive claims of Christianity all over the place, and we also read instructions on how to live lives that shine God's glory and character to our world. We are to reach out and draw others into this exclusive family of God.

We should be careful, though, to assume that our connection within a group is what gets us into heaven. In Matthew 8:10-12 Jesus speaks highly of a man whose faith is greater that Jesus had seen in all of Israel. He then tells those around Him that there will be many who come from all over the place to sit with the fathers of God's people, but that those who were of the nation will be cast out. Faith is the most important thing, not being born into an exclusive group.

On the other hand, those of us who have been included (in Ephesians 1 it says we are adopted) need to also be careful that we don't get cocky. In Romans 11 (one of my favorite passages) we are warned to continue walk in goodness because we were grafted in to God's kingdom. The analogy is that of wild branches (us who were not born into God's family) being cut from the wild tree and transplanted onto the natural tree, where a natural branch has been taken out. The question is, can God not graft back in a natural branch?

So, with all these things, the applications I draw are several. First of all, what would the Kingdom of God be if it were not exclusive? If something has no boundaries to it, it is not deemed valuable, and therefore it is not desirable. And since it is exclusive, that means not everyone will be included. BUT, God has made a way, through Jesus Christ, for each of us to choose to be a part of that family and kingdom. We were all outcasts, and God has welcomed us in, if we choose to life by faith in Him. This is not simply saying "I believe in God," but a transforming of life. Romans 12 tells us that we are not to be conformed to this world's thinking, but to be transformed. When we become a part of this family, we are changed.

I am thankful for God's exclusive kingdom, because it is valuable beyond anything I can imagine. And I am thankful that God has chosen to save me, and to place me within that kingdom. My life is not easy or without struggle, nor am I perfect, but daily I draw closer to Him, and daily I become more like Jesus. May my life reflect the exclusive inclusion that God has offered to me!