The Deception of Inclusion

Recently I ran into a problem that involved the subject of conclusion.  A young woman, for whatever reason sadly taken in by the deception of inclusion, took issue with a ministry I am involved in, even to the point of threatening to leave the ministry.  Well, she did.  And it was so amazing to me that she felt so passionately to the point of threatening and eventually leaving our ministry.  Many of the people infiltrating the Church of the Living God are in the same, confused position: they believe in a gospel of inclusion.

The American Prince of Inclusion

You may or may not be familiar with Bishop Carlton Pearson.  An OralRobertsUniversity grad, the first African-American televangelist, talented singer, and founder of the nationally-acclaimed Azusa Conference, Bishop Pearson did what—to my knowledge—no one else in America had done for the BlackAmericanChurch—he united all of us, despite our denominational backgrounds.  His conference did for black preachers and singers what Oprah does for entrepreneurs and doctors—gave them a platform that would forever change their life and ministries.  But somewhere along the way, Bishop became confused.  Hurting and doubting, he allowed the enemy to creep in and deceive him.  Now he’s the foremost “Christian” (claiming, not an actual Christian) pastor attempting to speak for the entire Black church on the subject of the Gospel of Inclusion.

The Gospel of Inclusion & Homosexuality

The Gospel of Inclusion declares that all people are saved; they just do not know it.  And they need not change their ways (i.e. homosexuals, fornicators, adulterers, liars, etc.) because, again, we are all already saved.  This is an absolute lie that has dangerously infiltrated the church.

The point of contention with the ministry woman was the issue of homosexuality.  And know this blog is not to single the lady out, but to rather raise the issue because this is something that numerous people can relate to.  Many of us are familiar with people: family, friends, co-workers, etc. that are struggling either secretly or openly with homosexuality.  The fact that we know—and love—these people DOES NOT, I repeat, DOES NOT change the fact that they are living a sinful lifestyle that is not pleasing to God.  Whether they felt they were “born this way” or choose to live that way does not matter to me, because with the transformative power and redemption that Christ offers through His horrible death and victorious resurrection, these struggling individuals can choose to change.

The Gospel of the Kingdom, a Gospel of Repentance

No matter what the problem, no matter what the situation, it is not bigger than God or God’s capability to work it out for your good.  But there is one catch: just like when you live in your parents’ home you have to live by their rules, if you expect to dwell in God’s kingdom and eternity with Him, then you must live by His rules.  This isn’t a bad thing.  And even if you or I may think God is being unfair with the human race, as the Ruler of the Universe, I think God has a “divine right” to make whatever rules and standards He deems necessary.  Don’t you?

What it boils down to is maintaining the same Gospel of the Kingdom that Christ preached.  That is not the Gospel of Inclusion.  That is not a message that does not evoke the need to repent from your sins.  As my spiritual father would say:

“The Kingdom of God without repentance is not the real kingdom,” (“How to Deal with Rebellion and Sedition”, Apostle Guillermo Maldonado).

Furthermore, anyone who preaches a gospel that does not include repentance, is preaching a false gospel and this is what the Apostle Paul had to say of that.

“I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.  As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.  For do I now persuade men, or God?  Or do I seek to please men?  For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ,” (Galatians 1:6-10 emphasis mine).

There you have it.  Talk about brandishing the “sword”!  That’s a tough word or as the saying goes “it’s tight, but it’s right”.  You may not like it, but it’s the Word of God.  And I don’t know about you, but I’d much rather live a life on the safe side as it concerns following God’s rules, then living a life where I made up my own and show up unprepared and with a  failing defense on Judgment Day.

 

The Gospel of Inclusion is a highly dangerous message, not just to the people who accept it, but for the people who preach it; it’s doubly dangerous for them because they are leading God’s precious people astray with lies.

“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea,” (Matthew 18:6).

There is a severe punishment for those like Bishop Pearson and others who preach a false and errant gospel—if they do not repent.  The blood of the lost will be upon their heads and hands.  God forbid.  We must remain sure of our stance and continue to preach the full Gospel of the Kingdom.  The gospel is inclusive to the point that it will accept anyone, but whoever decides to come to Christ must obey His commandments; without doing that, they forfeit their repentance and what a shame that would be.  Christ’s love for an ailing and dying world is perpetual and true, but so is His holiness and righteousness.  We must stand firm and preach the Gospel as God intended; that is the only way lives will be changed.

 

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