Inclusion versus Exclusion – Agape Reformation in Father’s Love

  Agape Reformation in Father’s Love

     When I was around 8 years old a couple of kids in the neighborhood had a fort. They told me and another boy we had stay out. We walked away angry at not being included, so later that day we went and tore down the fort. Hurt people seek to dominate by controlThe good news of the Gospel is a message of loving inclusion. Gal 2:3, 4—not even Titus…, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. This occurred (this question of circumcision arose) because of false brethren secretly brought in, who came in by stealth to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus…Some false brethren came in their midst to “spy out their liberty”, to question their faith, “are you circumcised?” Many church movements today have their rules that must be followed or fellowship is withdrawn. Churches too often have cliques, like high school, that give or deny fellowship based on their standards being met.  Wounded people (including Christians) tend to move toward control. Any doctrine or Christian activity (evangelism, prayer, Bible reading, worship) not based in love will gradually move into legalism. You are “acceptable” if you comply and “out” if you don’t. They are hurt people seeking identity in what they do rather than who they are in Christ. Really, there is no “in-crowd”, just a hurt crowd. Only hurt people have a need to exclude others. Gal 2:12a—For before that certain came from James, he (Peter) did eat with the Gentiles.There is something so warming and healing to be received in fellowship. I am sure the Gentiles had a real good feeling as the “head man” of Christianity at that time would eat with them. Gal 2:12b—but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.When certain people came from James, Peter, out of the fear of man, moved into exclusivity; he withdrew and separated himself. I’m sure the Gentiles felt bad being cut off from fellowship, kept on the outside. All of us can at times succumb to fears and put up walls. God is after us ever moving deeper into trust and to extend love. Jack Frost’s Agape Reformation article http://www.shilohplace.org/Downloads/Articles/Article26-EnteringIntoTheAgapeReformation.pdf