Why does the word inclusion make so many of us christian people cringe?
We often want to only include our preferred group. People who think like us and have faith like us. If you think differently we feel you should stay in your own group with like-minded people, but leave us alone. Sorry to say I used to feel the same way, but have thankfully changed my mind.
I am not necessarily just talking about organized religion or institutional church, but accepting people in general in our daily lives.
We see this so much within christianity, such a wide variety of denominations and interpretations of the bible. This is only mentioning fellow believers who believe that God is with us and loves us.
When it comes to including people who we see as completely different from us, it is even worse. African-American, White, LGBT, Atheist, Muslim, Jew and on it goes. We seem to think as believers in God we need to separate ourselves from those who see things differently. We think we should not associate with them or people will think we agree with them and are a part of their way of living.
Really, behind all the labels we put on people we are all basically the same, so why not associate and get to know people who we feel are different from us? We can learn from one another and get to know one another and find that we really are not all that different.
We see Jesus do this all the time when reading the gospels in the bible. He did not differentiate people based on their religion, belief, lifestyle or nationality. He did not separate himself from those who thought, believed and lived differently. He loved and accepted all people.
Obviously loving and accepting people does not mean agreement nor are we going to always get along in life and live happily ever after together. Yet I believe it does mean treating others the same, with respect, kindness, acceptance and with the love of God through the power of the Spirit within.
Inclusion is not a bad word. It is not a bad or unholy way to live. Inclusion is about ALL of us. Inclusion is about living full lives – about learning to live together. Inclusion makes the world our classroom for a full life. Inclusion treasures diversity and builds community. Inclusion is about our abilities – our gifts and how to share them. Inclusion is the way of God and the way of showing the love of God to all we meet.
“He did not separate himself from those who thought, believed and lived differently. He loved and accepted all people.” – True statement.
Here’s the thing that I am learning about our savior. He LOVED on everyone. He sat among the sinners, he healed the outcast, he spoke truth to the Pharisees. What separated Jesus is that he did not condone nor applauded the sin of the people. He spoke the gospel and broke barriers by even calling out the Pharisees on their wrong doing. He wasn’t afraid to speak the truth of God’s holy word. He did it with love, acting in the power and authority in God which is the same power that resides in us. Fear is not of God, and I’m slowly seeing that my fellow brethren in Christ are silencing the “voice” within in order not to anger people or “stir” the pot so to speak.
A scripture that comes to mind that is very sobering:
“You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.” – Matthew 10:22
We have to learn to speak in love and in discernment. That’s what Jesus did. He had the guidance of the holy spirit because even at times the spirit revealed the intentions of the questions that were being asked of him. He was wise and prudent in all of his responses. He is an example for all of us to follow.
Thanks again for sharing! This was a good post.
Blessings,
Melissa
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Thanks Melissa for your comment. I agree. Jesus spoke the truth and showed love to everyone. We are to do that same. The one problem today seems that many christians do not show the love part of it when they speak the truth. We are so quick to judge and condemn, yet the love of Christ is not shown. You are so right, when we speak in love and discernment by the Spirit the love of God will be shown. It is up to each individual to repsond as they see fit. Thanks again for the comment.
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Amen! There is power in agreement because in turn, the stronghold of the enemy is broken. I’m praying and believing for unity within the body of Christ!
Blessings!
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Inclusion is about Change and Exclusion can be about Fear of Change.
There are social groups that exclude the disabled….no accessibility….no wheel chair ramps.The social disease of exclusion gives birth to division. We are building walls or barriers that Jesus came to tear down. We need to find our similarities in each other.
Regarding Organized Religion, I have heard some Christians say, our church is different from others because it’s nondenominational. That within itself in my opinion is a denomination. You have separated yourselves because you don’t have the same beliefs as the denominational church located two blocks down the street from you.
As Kevin said, it holds us captive and prevents us from experiencing the abundant life Jesus came to reveal to us.
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So true Carol, thank you.
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So true! It seems that it is just human nature to divide, exclude, segregate, etc. those we deem are in and those we deem are out. We have all sorts of categories we put people in and if they don’t appear to fit into my “in” categories, they are automatically out. Religion is probably the most prevalent and most harmful category with which we do this, because it is used to justify several other categories. The really devious thing about it is that we fail to understand that it not only hold others captive, it holds us captive and prevents us from experiencing the abundant life Jesus came to reveal to us.
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Thank you Kevin, good points. I appreciate your comment.
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Thanks, Jim. Right on!
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Thanks jem
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