The Lord Does Not Exclude
There is a lot of talk about being inclusive. And that is a good thought, a good goal to pursue. We want to be inclusive. Is God then, exclusive? In Isaiah God tells us:
Observe what is right, do what is just – blessed is the man who does this
Blessed the son of man who holds to this
Blessed the one who keeps the sabbath and keeps from doing evil
What is being said is God has established his covenant. He has given us the truth for us to follow. For us to accept and take into our hearts.
Blessed the man who holds to the precepts of God. Very well. What about those who choose not to hold fast to the truth, the precepts of the Lord.
Let not the foreigner say the Lord will exclude him from what is right and just.
The Lord accepts your free will decision. It is not the Lord who excludes but the foreigner who is asking to be excluded. They have chosen exclusion over inclusion. Who cannot force God to include someone who does not want to be included. Or they want to be included with only regard to their terms. How can you be included when you desire to be excluded.
Something to think about as we come closer to a time of season where we seek to be inclusive in our families. If members of our families seek to subject us to terms of their exclusion you will not be able to change them. Continue to pray God will soften their hearts and enlighten their minds.
May the Lord bless you in the name of the Father and if the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen