The Perils of Exclusivity

[SteveEpperson]

It's interesting how our Western society values exclusivity. Remember when your parents forbade you from doing something or going somewhere? All you could think about day after day was doing that one thing they wouldn't let you do -- that one place they wouldn't let you go.

Isn't it sad how, when we reach adulthood, we notice very little authority behind exclusivity? At least with our parents, they had a reason to keep us away from certain activities or places. After all, they were only trying to protect us.

As adults, we are told to keep out due only to pride and hubris. We have gated communities to keep out those who have less money, exclusive country clubs to keep out those not well-heeled, and exclusive programs only for specific genders, sexual orientations, or those with matching skin tones.

Another classic example is the guy who places a large sign on his lawn saying: "Keep Off The Grass!" Neighbors can't help but chuckle as they witness kids, dogs, and even other adults trampling on it day after day. The comical nature of his self-imposed authority keeps people from respecting the sign; it has no teeth.

But exclusivity only fosters coveting what we seemingly cannot have. After all, Satan is behind the idea of exclusivity. In contrast, God wants everyone to be included in His kingdom.

Unfortunately, exclusivity has crept into the church. You can see it in many places.

Have you noticed it? If so, I would love to get your thoughts.

 

[HealthAndHappiness]

I don't have a sign, but if it were legal, I would use a sign....to smack the owners who leave their dog crap where I have to get on the ground to pull weeds from my landscape. If it weren't so hard to keep the weeds out, I'd pour sand and just plant cactus. Dog people around here have no respect for anyone.

 

[HealthAndHappiness]

Anyhow, as to the main point, I am like anyone and have my own prejudices.
Everyone is like that. I don't exclude someone for age or a different tan. .
However, I don't let strangers enter my home. I consider it rude for guys to butt into personal conversation where it's obvious inappropriate. I am far more tolerant than probably 99% of the leftists, but do not tolerate threats to my people. Those aren't just physical threats but also spiritual.

 

[ResidentAlien]

It's interesting how our Western society values exclusivity. Remember when your parents forbade you from doing something or going somewhere? All you could think about day after day was doing that one thing they wouldn't let you do -- that one place they wouldn't let you go.

Isn't it sad how, when we reach adulthood, we notice very little authority behind exclusivity? At least with our parents, they had a reason to keep us away from certain activities or places. After all, they were only trying to protect us.

As adults, we are told to keep out due only to pride and hubris. We have gated communities to keep out those who have less money, exclusive country clubs to keep out those not well-heeled, and exclusive programs only for specific genders, sexual orientations, or those with matching skin tones.

Another classic example is the guy who places a large sign on his lawn saying: "Keep Off The Grass!" Neighbors can't help but chuckle as they witness kids, dogs, and even other adults trampling on it day after day. The comical nature of his self-imposed authority keeps people from respecting the sign; it has no teeth.

But exclusivity only fosters coveting what we seemingly cannot have. After all, Satan is behind the idea of exclusivity. In contrast, God wants everyone to be included in His kingdom.

Unfortunately, exclusivity has crept into the church. You can see it in many places.

Have you noticed it? If so, I would love to get your thoughts.

I agree and disagree. My parents always told us don't do this or don't do that. What they should've done was given us guidance; explained to us why we shouldn't do this or that. Thankfully, God's word gives us good guidance and explains to us why we should do this and not do that.

But God's kingdom is exclusive. This is where many get it wrong. Yes, he wants all to be included; but not at the expense of truth and the rest of the flock who love truth. In this sense, God is very exclusive.

 

[HeIsHere]

It's interesting how our Western society values exclusivity. Remember when your parents forbade you from doing something or going somewhere? All you could think about day after day was doing that one thing they wouldn't let you do -- that one place they wouldn't let you go.

Isn't it sad how, when we reach adulthood, we notice very little authority behind exclusivity? At least with our parents, they had a reason to keep us away from certain activities or places. After all, they were only trying to protect us.

As adults, we are told to keep out due only to pride and hubris. We have gated communities to keep out those who have less money, exclusive country clubs to keep out those not well-heeled, and exclusive programs only for specific genders, sexual orientations, or those with matching skin tones.

Another classic example is the guy who places a large sign on his lawn saying: "Keep Off The Grass!" Neighbors can't help but chuckle as they witness kids, dogs, and even other adults trampling on it day after day. The comical nature of his self-imposed authority keeps people from respecting the sign; it has no teeth.

But exclusivity only fosters coveting what we seemingly cannot have. After all, Satan is behind the idea of exclusivity. In contrast, God wants everyone to be included in His kingdom.

Unfortunately, exclusivity has crept into the church. You can see it in many places.

Have you noticed it? If so, I would love to get your thoughts.

While I am not sure what you mean by "church" since you did not define it, if you mean the place where Christians/believers gather it is meant to be exclusive.

If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed.
2 Thessalonians 3:14

 

[ZNP]

It's interesting how our Western society values exclusivity. Remember when your parents forbade you from doing something or going somewhere? All you could think about day after day was doing that one thing they wouldn't let you do -- that one place they wouldn't let you go.

Isn't it sad how, when we reach adulthood, we notice very little authority behind exclusivity? At least with our parents, they had a reason to keep us away from certain activities or places. After all, they were only trying to protect us.

As adults, we are told to keep out due only to pride and hubris. We have gated communities to keep out those who have less money, exclusive country clubs to keep out those not well-heeled, and exclusive programs only for specific genders, sexual orientations, or those with matching skin tones.

Another classic example is the guy who places a large sign on his lawn saying: "Keep Off The Grass!" Neighbors can't help but chuckle as they witness kids, dogs, and even other adults trampling on it day after day. The comical nature of his self-imposed authority keeps people from respecting the sign; it has no teeth.

But exclusivity only fosters coveting what we seemingly cannot have. After all, Satan is behind the idea of exclusivity. In contrast, God wants everyone to be included in His kingdom.

Unfortunately, exclusivity has crept into the church. You can see it in many places.

Have you noticed it? If so, I would love to get your thoughts.

I obviously had very different parents from you.

 

[HealthAndHappiness]

I don't have a sign, but if it were legal, I would use a sign....to smack the owners who leave their dog crap where I have to get on the ground to pull weeds from my landscape. If it weren't so hard to keep the weeds out, I'd pour sand and just plant cactus. Dog people around here have no respect for anyone.

This is my answer upon waking before coffee.
Maybe you can tell that I pulled weeds and mowed the lawn yesterday evening.
I don't have signs, but when I catch anyone walking their dog in my yard or walking up my driveway to my garage, so they can relieve their dog on my tires and try to look through windows as one neighbor, they will be told to quit doing that and shown my security camera.
I don't blame people for signs excluding others. The Bible does talk a lot about personal private property. Proper communication can prevent many problems.
Many people don't like them, but it's usually because they haven't experienced the trauma of a break in or other major violations. For those people, I understand even though I disagree.

 

[SteveEpperson]

While I am not sure what you mean by "church" since you did not define it, if you mean the place where Christians/believers gather it is meant to be exclusive.

If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed.
2 Thessalonians 3:14

Ooh, yikes! I don't think Paul was going for exclusivity here. He was speaking about someone already in the church causing such disruption that they should be admonished. In the next verse, he says:

Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. 2 Thessalonians 3:15

I don't think he was talking about not letting sinners through the door. If that were the case, you and I both wouldn't get to worship on Sundays.

No, I don't think even our most pristine church buildings, with all their new carpeting, fancy sound systems, well-dressed people, and high-paid staff, should exclude anyone who wants to worship God in all His glory. The Pharisees tried doing that, but take a look at this verse:

But God demonstrates his own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

Where's the exclusivity in that? This verse isn't saying only those who:

• Have theology degrees
• Drive nice vehicles
• Pretend to be nice
• Have their dream jobs
• Have perfect marriages
• Live in nice houses

No, he's saying every person on the planet gets to be saved when they turn their lives over to Christ (even before they've completely cleaned up their lives). Those people include:

• Crack addicts living on the street
• Wife beaters
• Pimps
• Prostitutes
• People driving used vehicles
• Even those awful Democrats!

Your church body may not want these people ruining the aesthetics of their pristine sanctuary, but make no mistake, God will welcome them into heaven with open arms. And when He does, you and I will be amazed at how much gold he's set aside for "the least of these."

 

[SteveEpperson]

I obviously had very different parents from you.

I'm sorry to hear that. I'm very grateful to my parents for taking a strict stance with me. I feel they protected me from harm when I was little. That doesn't mean they were helicopter parents, but they did their best to lay ground rules early on. As I got older, I appreciated the fact that I could function in a large world with many rules.

 

[ZNP]

I'm sorry to hear that.

Why? I'd rather be raised to rule and reign rather than living my whole life in fear.

 

[SteveEpperson]

But God's kingdom is exclusive. This is where many get it wrong. Yes, he wants all to be included; but not at the expense of truth and the rest of the flock who love truth. In this sense, God is very exclusive.

I go back to this scripture:

But God demonstrates his own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

Where's the exclusivity in that?

Peter denied Jesus three times. So, by your standards, Jesus should have excluded him from the twelve. But by our Father's perfect standard, Jesus showed him perfect grace and mercy. Peter went on to become an apostle, and I'm glad he did.

 

[Magenta]

As adults, we are told to keep out due only to pride and hubris.

I lock my car and my apartment door to keep people out and it has nothing to do with pride and/or hubris.
Can you imagine if businesses did not lock their doors to keep people out while they were closed?
Chaos, anarchy, theft. Those things happen on a large scale during riots. Then the fires start.
And all the while people are abused by others, some murdered.

Is that what you want? What is wrong with law and order?

 

[Magenta]

View attachment 253411

Broken record

 

[RaceRunner]

 

[ResidentAlien]

I go back to this scripture:

But God demonstrates his own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

Where's the exclusivity in that?

Peter denied Jesus three times. So, by your standards, Jesus should have excluded him from the twelve. But by our Father's perfect standard, Jesus showed him perfect grace and mercy. Peter went on to become an apostle, and I'm glad he did.

"For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? But those who are outside God judges. Therefore put away from yourselves the evil person.” 1 Corinthians 5:12-13

By all means we should attempt to include everyone; but there are times when people have to be excluded.

 

[Eli1]

Unfortunately, exclusivity has crept into the church. You can see it in many places.

Have you noticed it? If so, I would love to get your thoughts.

Yeah, it's called Calvinism.

 

[SteveEpperson]

I lock my car and my apartment door to keep people out and it has nothing to do with pride and/or hubris.
Can you imagine if businesses did not lock their doors to keep people out while they were closed?
Chaos, anarchy, theft. Those things happen on a large scale during riots. Then the fires start.
And all the while people are abused by others, some murdered.

Is that what you want? What is wrong with law and order?

With all due respect -- and I do respect you as much as anyone on this site-- you normally have scripture to back up your comments.
I wonder if you could show where Jesus told us to lock people out of the church? Or out of our lives, for that matter?

 

[SteveEpperson]

By all means we should attempt to include everyone; but there are times when people have to be excluded.

When?

 

[Magenta]

With all due respect -- and I do respect you as much as anyone on this site-- you normally have scripture to back up your comments.
I wonder if you could show where Jesus told us to lock people out of the church? Or out of our lives, for that matter?

I did not say anything about locking people out of church .

You spoke of gated communities as if they serve no purpose for security.
And other things having nothing to do with church. I responded in kind.

1 Corinthians 5:13b
“Expel the wicked person from among you.”

​

 

[SteveEpperson]

Yeah, it's called Calvinism.

Forgive me for not knowing all the man-made "isms" out there. Maybe you can expand on the idea for my benefit, and explain why Calvinism has caused exclusivity to creep into the church. Thanks in advance.