Inclusiveness is a popular word today. People sling it around to include everything from gender to religion. The intention is that no one is excluded, and people can come as they are. Did you know the church should be the same way? God shows no partiality. The Gospel is the solution for everyone’s spiritual ills. If people believe that Jesus is the Son of God and died for their sins, they will be saved and spared eternity in hell.
ACTS 10:34-35
“Opening his mouth, Peter said: “I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him.”
Rocking Peter’s World
Let’s set the scene here. God is rocking Peter’s world. First, God told Peter, in a dream, to eat unclean food because God declared it clean. This was setting the stage for Peter to go the Cornelius’ house, a Gentile. There he would preach the Gospel where the Holy Spirit would fall. Up until this time, Peter hadn’t associated with Gentiles, thought the Gospel was for them, or that they could be blessed with the Holy Spirit. Now he understands that God shows no partiality when it comes to salvation or the outpouring of the Spirit.
Come As You Are
I am a firm believer that the church shouldn’t try to clean people up before they come to church. Many people have been turned away because they haven’t fit a certain mold or expectation. Let them come as they are, and let the Holy Spirit do the work in their heart. If the work is true and that person has been transformed, they will want to do what is right. Be patient.
God Shows No Partiality
The world is a confusing place. People are looking for a place where they won’t be judged. We can receive people with the love of Jesus, which will change people. Let the Spirit do the convicting of their sin. Speak the truth of God’s word encased in words of hope. Show them the promise of peace that Jesus gives them. They don’t have to conform to be like you to be saved. They need to respond to the leading of the Holy Spirit.