Just How "Inclusive" is God?

"Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." Matthew 7:13,14. If the "universalist" is right, and all will enter those pearly gates, then he must think the Author of the words above knew not whereof He spoke.

The fact that Christ is Judge of all who enter therein means we should perhaps pay a little more attention to His words and less to those of these mortals who only think they know His will. Oh, they may possess PhD's from the finest universities, but their degrees will be of little use when Christ demands from them a "thus saith the Lord." When Christ demands the fruits of their ministries, will they bring forth more than they were given, as did the good and faithful servant? (Matthew 25:14-30) Or will they be cast into "outer darkness" as was the "wicked and slothful servant"?

The key to His teaching is found further in the same chapter. Here Christ gives His example of those who enter His reward. In verses 31-46 is found a very graphic description of just how inclusive He is going to be: "Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." V.34 Just who are those who are the "blessed of My Father"? Christ says it best: "For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." Verses 35-40

These are those who will "inherit the kingdom." What of the rest? "Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungered, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal." Verses 41-46

I know there are those scoffers among you who would say I'm being too simplistic. Well, there's the problem. You see, God's gospel has always been very simple to see and understand. There are some waymarks in our journey of discovery, call them "pillars" if you will, which give us a distinct direction in which to travel.

The first pillar is Christ's Definition of a Christian, found in John 13:35, "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." Christ didn't say, "By this shall the church know that ye are my disciples," or "By this shall the world know that ye are my disciples," but He said that "all men" would know of our discipleship. How will they know? Will "all men" know of our discipleship because of the fine clothes we wear, or by the wonderful sermons we preach, or by the millions we put in the coffers of the church? Is it the saintly songs we sing or our perfect attendance at church? Will they know us by our scholarly words couched in soothing tones taught at the finest universities? God forbid, NO!

They will know of our discipleship by the love we have for one another. I have said it many times, but it bears repeating: It will never matter how beautifully we preach, how much money we give to others, how hard we work or what high position we obtain, the world will always be able to see through us if we do not practice what we preach. You may even quote the Bible from cover to cover in every language known to man, but still not be His disciple. Even Satan can do that! "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble." James 2:19

No, the one distinguishing characteristic of His disciples will be the one thing Satan and his agents are incapable of: loving others. We know by the words at the beginning of this missive that most of the world will not enter God's reward, but that does not mean they don't know what love is and that they cannot see it manifested in others.

Love, freely bestowed unto us by God, is to be given just as freely by us to all others! Nothing less will suffice! By this giving, every disciple of God is His witness! If you would be His, you have no choice in the matter. His love will shine forth from you as a beacon in a world of darkness. You will not concern yourself with how well you will be received, because His power will flow through you to others as you minister unto them.

One thing is certain; If you enter into your ministry as God's disciple full of confidence in yourself and your talents, you may reach the pinnacle of church office and earthly recognition, but your failure as His disciple will be sealed. Why? Because you tried to do these things thinking you were "qualified" through some talent, degree or supposed experience. None of these things matter to those who are His. All that matters is Jesus and His love!

Here's a humbling thought: Would any of us have behaved any differently during His trial and crucifixion than did His disciples? Do we really think we are better than they? Regardless of any supposed sanctification we may feel we have, every sin we commit is just another blow of the hammer on those nails and another thrust of the spear into His side! YOU do this to Him with every evil thought and deed! "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one." Romans 3:10 Are we then lost without hope? "With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26

It is only through Christ's blood we are cleansed of sin and only as His righteousness covers us that we may "come boldly unto the throne of grace," to plead our petitions! (Heb. 4:16) Always remember; He didn't die from His wounds, grievous though they were. He died of a broken heart and we were the ones who broke it! He loves us with a love which is incomprehensible to those who know Him not, and yet He sacrificed Himself for us, not because we loved Him, but because He loved us despite ourselves! (1 John 4:10,11)

Why do I say these things? Because if we are to understand the kind of love we are to bear toward others, we must first understand something of the love God has for us. If love is to be truly called love, it must be from the same everlasting fountain God has given from which we may all drink freely! If there is any love, then it must be from God. Indeed, there is no other source than our God!

Remember when we spoke of certain waymarks, or "pillars" in our journey of discovery? The second pillar of Christ's gospel is His law. We know His love permeates everything we know of Him because "God is love." 1 John 4:8 Is His law of this same love? "Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." Matthew 22: 35-40

"Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." Psalms 119:11 The psalmist rightly understood the relationship between God's love and His law. He knew God's law was nowhere better kept than in the heart. (Jer. 31:33)

"To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." Isaiah 8:20 Isaiah's warning pertains as surely to professed Christians as to witches and mediums.

Why is God's law so important? "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." Psalms 119:105 His law is a guide; a map, if you will, which, if heeded and obeyed, can place you on the same path as that taken by Christ while here on earth. Notice I said "can," as in possibly. You see, there's a problem mankind has repeatedly run into over these many years: They far too often get into the mistaken habit of thinking that obedience to His law is all that is required of them. Hear the words of Christ to church leaders of His day and of all ages: "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone." Matthew 23:23 Of these church leaders, so secure in their "whited sepulchers," (IBID v. 27) Jesus said, "Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity." (v. 28) These words apply to today's church and its' leaders as fully as they did to the "scribes and Pharisees" of His day! Let the church leaders beware! God will not lightly tolerate their transgressions! "My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation." James 3:1 Here James tells us that those who hold, seek or are awarded higher office within the church will "receive the greater condemnation" for their sins. The greater your knowledge of His word, the greater will be your condemnation if you betray His word through your sins. Those who have a greater knowledge of His word should also have a greater knowledge of their own inadequacies and therefore feel the greater shame for their transgressions! Unfortunately, this is far too often not the case. Rather than wholeheartedly confessing their faults and shortcomings before God and the church, as did Paul, Peter, James and their brethren and sisters in Christ, our church leaders tend to set themselves up as examples for others to follow. This they do despite knowing full well the ONLY example we are to follow is that set by our Saviour!

Thus saith the Lord: "Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces, And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts: Which devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation." Mark 12:38-40 These words ring as true today as they did 2000 years ago.

"For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?" 1 Peter 4:17 This of course is a confirmation of an even more ancient, but no less sure prophesy made to Ezekiel: "And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof. And to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity: Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house." Ezekiel 9:4-6 (emphasis mine)

Who traditionally sat at the gates "before the house?" The High Priest and the elders of the church. With this example, God graphically sets before us the fate of all who do not "sigh and…cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst" of His church! Peter understood this prophecy to be at hand even in his time, and lamented, "if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?"

If you are one of those Christians who think, "Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation,"(2 peter 3:4) then prepare to meet the "slaughterer" of Ezekiel 9! Oh, you may not see him physically at this time, but "at the great day of the Lord," he will fulfill his commission! Thus saith the Lord: "And as for Me also, Mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity, but I will recompense their way upon their head." Ezekiel 9:10

For those of you who think "the abominations that be done in the midst" of the church applies only to the ancients, Hear again the words of our Lord, "And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man." Luke 17:26 Remember, "in the days of Noe," the "abominations" of men had rendered them so foul as to call down their total destruction by the very loving God Who had created them! It was only due to the everlasting and undeserved mercy of God that Noah and his small band survived! So when we speak of how inclusive God is in His entrance requirements for Heaven, just remember what percentage of the population of Noah's day survived, and even more importantly, why this was so. Noah and his little band survived because he loved God and his fellow man, believed God's instructions and, just as importantly, obeyed God in every detail. Oh, that we would do the same!

This warning is for every Priest, Prelate, Pastor or Pope who think themselves somehow "privileged" because of their office. "And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many." Matthew 20: 27,28

In all things Christ is our example, and we need no other Compass as we sail life's tempestuous seas! The doctrine which directs erring souls to the counsels of men derives from the same hellish source as that which proclaims the supposed "infallibility" of the church; as though the church, unworthy sinners all, can take the place of the pure and meek Lamb of God! Blasphemy! The church is not a guide to God! It is a place instituted of God for the assembly of His disciples, that they may, as did those gathered at Pentecost, draw from the Source of all wisdom, knowledge and love. As the Spirit settled upon those trembling souls, far from instilling in them a sense of superiority, they understood for the first time the depth of humility necessary to live as Jesus had lived so lately among them. The church is not found in glorious and imposing edifices, no matter how inspiring the architecture. The church is not found in the halls of learning, no matter how pious. Neither is the church found in contention, strife or rebellion.

The church of God can only be found in the hearts of those who love God with all their being, their neighbors as themselves, and who obey God's commandments. John 14:15, John 13:35, Matthew 22:35-40 When you find a people who fit that description, you have found God's people! And these, my friends, are the "few" who will find their way down that "narrow way" through the "straight gate" "which leadeth unto life."

So, is God too "exclusive" in His admission requirements? No, He doesn't exclude anyone from entrance therein. We exclude ourselves through our own stubborn, "stiff-necked" pride. It is our own sin which disqualifies us from admission. Can sin be conquered? "With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible." Matthew 19: 26 Anyone can walk down that "narrow way" which leadeth unto life. The question is not can we, but will we? Will we make the commitment to change our lives in order to live by His rules, not ours. We have never been, are not and never will be wise enough to find that "narrow way" by ourselves. We must have a Guide! We already have the map: His word as contained in the Holy Scriptures, the Bible. But what of our Guide? "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." John 14:26

God's Holy Spirit is our Guide, that we may see more clearly the way of the Word of God. He is the One Who "moved upon the waters" at the very beginning of this earth's existence, and has been with mankind throughout their generations. Perhaps an example may help: How many times have you heard of or known someone who just could not find a certain destination, despite having a map. If they were wise, they would stop and ask for directions. Until they asked for guidance, the map was pretty much useless. This was because the map, of and by itself, could not bring understanding of its instructions without outside assistance.

This is exactly why you may study a map until you have it memorized, and yet still be led astray by your own pride. Why would pride lead you astray? Because pride refuses to acknowledge there is any other source of guidance other than what you possess! "I can do this; I don't need anyone else's help!" These words echo those of far too many in the church who have studied God's word as a life's work, can quote chapter and verse, expound upon many and varied subjects and meanings and yet have no conception of the Author's intent! Am I saying these lost ones are evil? God forbid! For we are not to judge others! No, I only say this in order to illustrate that a vast knowledge of God's word, lacking the guidance of the Holy Spirit, is of no avail to its possessor.

If you doubt me, then consider this: Satan's knowledge of scripture is superior to any apart from Christ, yet many times have the satanic ambitions been thwarted by the power of a "thus sayeth the Lord" from the lips of a humble, Spirit-led disciple! Of course, we are commanded to "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15 The Psalmist wrote, "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." Psalms 119:11 One of the best examples of this is found in the life of Paul the Apostle. He was not only highly educated, but "that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee." Acts 26:5 His education and high office in the church did not prevent him from turning on the Saviour and His people to the point of murdering and imprisoning them! After his experience on the road to Damascus, Paul became an entirely different person. What was the difference? He still possessed the same education, trade and physical form, but the indwelling of the Spirit had changed him. The Comforter was able to turn Paul's knowledge of scripture into a tool through which he was able to subsequently preach the gospel of Christ so clearly to us all. Paul understood the importance of the Spirit to the church throughout the ages: "Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel." Philippians 1:27 Paul knew that whether he was there or not, the presence of the Holy Spirit led the church "in one Spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel."

"Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing." Matthew 24:46