Christians need to be inclusive, don't they? Well, that depends on what you mean by the word. If you are inclusive of different people groups (e.g. black people, white people, etc.) that is fine. If you are inclusive of male and female that is fine. If you are inclusive of people with disabilities that is fine. And the list goes on.
But if you are inclusive of ALL people, regardless of their sinfulness, that is not fine. In fact, that is ungodliness. I am not saying we should utterly shun anyone. Jesus Himself ate with the worst, that is publicans and sinners. (Luke 5:29-30) However, the believer must never be so inclusive that he or she will consider someone as a part of their Christian circle who is living in continual sin and refusing to repent!
We may reach out to such people and try to correct them. We may bring them into our assembly on Sunday or to our Bible study to hear God's word. But to say that we are, or our Church is, indiscriminately inclusive, or should be, is to invite disaster. "What fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness and what communion hath light with darkness?" The question is not rhetorical. The answer is NONE! The Holy Spirit through the Apostle also says, "be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers." He says, "what concord (agreement) hath Christ with Belial? or what part (participation) hath he that believeth with an infidel?" (2 Corinthians 6:14-15)
But if you are inclusive of ALL people, regardless of their sinfulness, that is not fine. In fact, that is ungodliness. I am not saying we should utterly shun anyone. Jesus Himself ate with the worst, that is publicans and sinners. (Luke 5:29-30) However, the believer must never be so inclusive that he or she will consider someone as a part of their Christian circle who is living in continual sin and refusing to repent!
We may reach out to such people and try to correct them. We may bring them into our assembly on Sunday or to our Bible study to hear God's word. But to say that we are, or our Church is, indiscriminately inclusive, or should be, is to invite disaster. "What fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness and what communion hath light with darkness?" The question is not rhetorical. The answer is NONE! The Holy Spirit through the Apostle also says, "be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers." He says, "what concord (agreement) hath Christ with Belial? or what part (participation) hath he that believeth with an infidel?" (2 Corinthians 6:14-15)
