Is Christianity Exclusive or Inclusive? Romans 10.9-13

Good Day~

“You Christians are all alike,” he derisively flung at me . . . “You are so narrow-minded, so arrogant--saying Jesus is the only way to God!”

Honestly, I hadn’t expected to be sparring with a skeptic that night; no, a different purpose had brought me face-to-face with this caustic fellow.  It was several years ago, and I had been asked to contact a local shopkeeper and young mother, who had just been diagnosed with stage-four breast cancer.  “Please Christine, can’t you just go and do what you do?” my neighbor asked.  ‘I guess so,’ I said, but somewhat reluctantly.  See, I was pretty new at praying for healing; it was intimidating, particularly when I didn’t know the individual at all!  Yet, I knew I was meant to go—after all, my young son, Danny, had just been miraculously healed—and not too long before!  Well, it was a sweet time with ‘Lisa’, and I was walking out the door when her attorney husband came home, and she wanted to introduce me.1 

I closed the door, and went in the kitchen to be cordial, and pleasantries were exchanged. It was ‘all good’ . . . until he learned why I was there, and apparently had a few things to get off his chest!  (I had already had a long, trying day, but I knew I needed to dust myself off, and engage—not argue—but be fully present.)  What I said to him is rather immaterial, but here is the gist of how I responded to his challenge: ‘Actually, Joe, I wasn’t the one who said it, but you are correct, Jesus is the only way to God.  It was Christ himself who proclaimed, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life no one comes to the Father but through me.2 

Now, essentially what he was accusing me of believing is that Christianity is exclusive—that it is limited to a group of people.  But in fact, Paul’s writing to the Romans ensures us that is not the case:

“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.

As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10.9-13

Now, clearly the orange, emboldened underlined words highlighting “anyone, all, and everyone” are my notations, but the truth is from the heart of God.                                                                                            ALL are invited,  ANYONE who would come,  ALL who call on him,  EVERYONE who calls on the name of the Lord . . .  what?                                          Will be saved. 

So, Christianity is not exclusive – limited to a group of people, for a particular season, and a special purpose . . . oh, no.

Christianity is inclusive.  Christianity excludes no one.    One proviso – you must believe and receive.  You must believe that Jesus was who he said he was,                             and he did what he said he would do.  Die and rise again.  After all, we serve a risen Lord!  Receive his grace, ask him to lead you, and you will be included.

Including you, Joe.   Especially you, Joe!

Because He lives,

Christine

podcast: 

1 This shopkeeper became my friend.  God miraculously restored her—not just then, but again.  Oh, dear ones, he is faithful.  And I would say that her husband became a friend, of a sort, as well.  We became accustomed to sitting in hospital waiting rooms together.  God is good.

2 John 14.6