The radically inclusive message of Jesus

Liberals, who are certain that God thinks homosexuality is wonderful, like to talk about the "radically inclusive message of Jesus", and how it offends many people.

You know what? They've got a point.

Jesus is certainly inclusive when he says we are ALL evil-hearted. He is inclusive when he says there is NONE good but God. He is inclusive when he says NO-ONE's self-righteousness cuts it with God. And, he is inclusive when he says that except we repent, we will ALL perish.

So, it's true. The radically inclusive message of Jesus does offend many -- primarily liberals.

Liberals who are forced to distort and change Christ's gospel of the narrow door because it offends them.

Liberals who are offended by the thought that all religions might not be equally acceptable in God's sight.

Liberals who are offended to think that God would blast all of humanity for its sinfulness and wickedness and speak in the blunt terms of Christ: repent, or perish.

Consider the following beloved verse of Scripture.

1. God so loved the world
2. That He gave His only begotten Son
3. So that whosoever believes in Him
4. Should not perish
5. But have everlasting life.

Liberals like the first line because it speaks of God's love -- He loves not just a few, but the world. They really like that one.

They like the last line about eternal life. If there is a heaven, they take it as a given that they will be there. Along with just about everybody else, regardless of faith or creed, it seems.

They tolerate the second line about God giving His Son, but they work hard to obscure Christ's male gender which is an embarrassment to them, and they find the idea of a blood sacrifice repulsive, primitive, and completely unacceptable. Which is why you are not going to find a hymn like Nothing but the Blood in a liberal-editted hymnal.

They dislike the third line about believing in Christ because it offends their warm-fuzzy sense of inclusiveness. There just shouldn't be any conditions put on entering into the love of God. (What was Christ thinking when he said it? If only he had had access to 21st century liberals, he could have avoided a lot of substandard, unchristian thoughts and ideas.)

But it's the fourth line they detest.

"Should not perish."

The idea that anyone might perish is a non-starter with them. To put it bluntly, there simply is no hell for the liberal to avoid. Or to warn his neighbour, or the person labouring in another faith, to avoid.

And yet, that is what Christ states, and that is the backdrop for Christ's sacrificial death -- we are perishing, and, unless He offers Himself in our stead, there is no hope for us.

And that is the heart of the evangelist's cry:

Souls in danger,
Look above
Jesus completely saves
He will lift you by his love
Out of the angry waves
He's the master of the seas -- billows his will obey
He your Saviour wants to be
Be saved today

Those who talk about God's love, but refuse to obey His command to turn and surrender, trust and obey, will find themselves eternally outside of friendship and fellowship with God.

My prayer is that God would raise up evangelists in our day to warn people of the danger they are in, and to present to them the open door of forgiveness and eternal life through Jesus Christ.

I'm hoping that my CD, which will be out shortly, will serve just such a role.

And that's one reason why it features the song Love Lifted me -- because the inclusive message of Christ is that whosoever believes on him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

It's also why the CD includes that great hymn by Robert Lowry, Nothing but the Blood.

Twice.

And that's the way the Ball bounces.