Aug 1, 2018 God is Inclusive

I was pleasantly greeted by an African American who was seated next to me on a flight from Seattle, Washington to Ontario, California. It was apparent to me that my reading would be laid aside in order to accommodate this engaging person. He shared a little bit of his background, mentioning his teaching contract at a certain school not being renewed due to cutbacks. He had been temporarily working at a Buddhist center, teaching English to the Buddhist monks. During his time there he had a very strong urge to help his people in Sudan who were dying by the hundreds of thousands. When I mentioned that I was a pastor and had also been the president of a ministry, Quiet Hour Ministries, he said: This must be a providential appointment to meet you here. I replied, You never know who you are going to meet from one day to the next where God can be a blessing through you.

We engaged in a somewhat lengthy conversation that dealt with the treatment of people and how God looks at all people alike. Then this seatmate said: I’m glad that God is inclusive. Jesus confirms it in these words, …whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16.

John (not his real name) stated that he had been trying very hard, without much success, to get various religious organizations and churches to assist him in bringing relief to the Sudanese people. Ironically, he was told by the Buddhist Center that they would be willing to supply water if he could find the means to get it over there.

I have had time to think about our conversation and have wondered how inclusive we are, individually, corporately, and even denominationally. Many times, we are willing to help and assist our own when it comes to need, but we don’t cross over manmade barriers, for the most part. We can give all the reasons why we aren’t involved in certain projects, and many of them are good reasons. However, I could not help but wonder, was this a coincidental meeting with a man with a strong conviction to fulfill a great need, or was God trying to broaden my horizon: to think more inclusively when it comes to helping out and being involved. Though it is true that no one organization can fulfill the world’s need, too often what we do become involved in has as one of its parameters, working through our own church entities. I, fortunately, did not respond to him as I easily could have with our organization does not assist with this kind of need except with our own church-related projects. How inclusive is that? Not at all! Yes, there are the fakes and the professional beggars, but what would Jesus do?

I am reminded of the words of Paul: There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28. Paul accounted everyone equal in Christ. All are god’s children and worthy of our attention. Many times, Jesus went from place to place, healing and meeting the needs of people. He didn’t ask them what church they attended, or whether they believed in a certain set of doctrines before including them in His list of people to help. No, He saw them, I believe, simply as people who needed help, who in the process of being helped, would be drawn to Him.

I hope we can grow to see people as Jesus does, and through His eyes be truly inclusive in all of our outreach to the world. Can you imagine what that vision would accomplish for our own wellbeing, for our church, and for the world?

(Republished from Echoes magazine, September 2003)

Pastor Bill Tucker
QHM Speaker Emeritus