This post is written by Katie Orr as a companion for Unit 21, Session 1 of The Gospel Project for Adults, Volume 7: From Heaven to Earth (Spring 2023).
In a world bent on inclusion, biblical beliefs stick out like a sore thumb. Often it feels like most of the popular positions and policies of the day come down to this: Figure out what the Bible says about this topic and do the opposite. Though I don’t believe this is the heart of every person who disagrees with Scripture, I do know that the evil one is on the move. He wants nothing more than to trample on a biblical way of life, crush those who follow Jesus, and stamp out the work of God.
Secularism and self-indulgence have filled the cultural waters we swim in with a hatred for God’s ways. When immersed in these waters over time, it is tempting to begin wondering if perhaps we have it all wrong. Maybe more inclusion is the way to go? Perhaps our narrow-mindedness is a liability to society, not an asset?
Yet when we observe the life of Jesus, we see a life poured out for a single-minded, unapologetic, divine mission to seek and save lost souls (Luke 19:10). The salvation He provides is a selective one. It is offered to all, but narrow is the way to receive it (Matthew 7:13-14).
Within our Christian culture, many want to water down the truths about Jesus to a feel-good bleeding heart who is primarily driven by compassion and inclusion. However, a closer look at His ministry provides a truer portrait of Jesus. The Savior of humankind demonstrated both compassion and rebuke, grace and truth, love and holiness. He held to a concentrated and consistent message: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).
We must shape our view of Jesus—and therefore our understanding of the Great Commission He left to us—by every word the Bible gives us about Him (which is all of it!). We don’t get to pick the parts we like and leave the harder-to-swallow ones behind. Strife filled Jesus’s three years of ministry. He offended people everywhere He went. His words brought forth rebuke.
From His first recorded sermon to His dying breath, Jesus spoke unbendable truths and welcomed all who held to His words through faith. Those who rejected His message, however, He left behind. This did not mean He loved them less. But the life of Jesus did demonstrate that inclusion was not His highest value. Bringing glory to the Father through a life of obedience was.
In His own hometown, following His difficult words of rebuke, Jesus received from His former neighbors and friends a death sentence, albeit one they couldn’t carry out (Luke 4:28-29). Undoubtedly, these were souls He deeply cared for. Yet they wholeheartedly rejected Jesus as Lord. His response was not to be more inclusive so that they could experience salvation. He didn’t amend His words to be less offensive. He didn’t bend over backwards to make them see His way. He simply walked away, likely with eyes full of tears, a heart full of sorrow, and prayers full of petition on their behalf. As we seek to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, let us love people well by holding fast to truth. Let us show compassion without compromising God’s way. Let us boldly speak truth with tender affection for souls in desperate need of the Savior. And let us be ever-prayerful that God would soften hearts, change minds, and convict souls of their need for Jesus, our Savior.
Katie Orr is the author of Secrets of the Happy Soul, seven FOCUSed15 Bible studies, and is the creator of the Bible Study Hub community, where women can receive training, encouragement, and accountability to enjoy God’s Word. Katie holds an MA in Discipleship from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. She and her husband, Chris, along with their three children, live in central Florida.
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