The Gospel of Inclusion

by Bud Lambert

Godly evangelists convict others of sin in order to include them in the fellowship of God. We should never convict individuals of sin to exclude them from the fellowship of God.
Convicting a person of their sins is a very important process of evangelism. Unless we understand that our belief system and behavior are wrong, we are not likely to change them. One of the reasons God gave the law to the children of Israel was for that very purpose. Paul says, "Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin" ( Romans 3:20; cf. Romans 7:13). However, even though convicting someone of sin is an essential, God approved part of proclaiming the gospel, we should never use the gospel of Christ to condemn anybody - heathens, denominational people, or brothers and sisters in Christ.
The gospel of Jesus Christ is a message which seeks, not to exclude, but to include all people into the fellowship of God. God does not want anybody to be excluded from his fellowship. Peter says, "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance" ( 2 Peter 3:9). Jesus says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be, saved" ( John 3:16-17).

Proclaiming the gospel involves convicting a person of sin. However, the gospel of Christ was designed by God to be a gospel of inclusion. Therefore, any time you or I proclaim the gospel, it should be for the purpose of including and
keeping people in the fellowship of God, never to exclude them.

• Define Gospel -Dec 15, 2002
• The Gospel -Jul 19, 1998