Love, Grace, and inclusion

Yesterday I mentioned that love, grace and inclusion stand at the core of Christianity.  My point being, without any of the three, we no longer have the teachings of Jesus at the forefront.  The three traits are central and they are non-negotiable.

Love:  See 1 Cor 13... If I can do all these things, but have not love, I am nothing.  If I believe all the right things but have not love I am nothing.  If I hold to perfect doctrine and have not love, I am nothing.  Love comes before everything else.

Grace:  Grace is giving favor.  Grace is forgiving.  Grace is not getting what we deserve.  Scripturally, grace is doing unto others as you would have them do unto you.  In Luke 6:31 we see that this phrase is not just good human advice, it is scriptural.  Give to others what you want for yourself.  If I want to be loved, warts and all, then I need to love others, as they are.

Inclusion:  In Genesis 1 scripture says that God made it, and said that it was good.  This principle is illustrated in the teachings of Jesus, over and over.

1.  One of his disciples was a tax collector who worked for the Romans.  One of the disciples was a Zealot who wanted to kill the Romans.  Some were educated, some were not.  He included all kinds.

2.  In Jn 4 the woman at the well is included and welcomed by Jesus.  She has been married and divorced six times.  She is currently living with someone to whom she is not married.  Jesus loves her anyway.  She is included.  

3.  In the story of the Good Samaritan, the Samaritan is not only included, he is the hero of the story.  He is the one that is "in."  He is the one who will find eternal life over and above the religious people who walked on by.

There are tons of examples of inclusion in the Bible.  There should be hundreds of examples in our lives as well.

Love, Grace, Inclusion.  Three pillars of Jesus' Teaching.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.