The Basis for Spiritual Inclusiveness – 1 John 1:1-3

There’s a lot of talk today about unity, fellowship and inclusiveness. Let me state up front that I believe in inclusiveness. However, if we are talking of true Christian fellowship and unity there is inclusiveness only around the person of Jesus Christ. John wrote, “That you also may have fellowship with us and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ” (1 John 1:3). “That you also may” reveals he is showing us how we may have fellowship. He preluded this with a statement about the incarnation (1 John 1:1-2). Read also John 1:1, 14 and 18.

We can socialize and hang out with anyone and everyone. In this way, we can always be inclusive. True Christian Fellowship and unity on the other hand is different. I remember my overseer in the ministry (Dr. Paul E. Paino) once saying, “You have to be very narrow minded to be a Christian. ”This is absolutely true according to Jesus and the Word of God. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the Life: no man comes unto the Father, but by (through) me” (John 14:6). Jesus said this in the context of taking us to heaven with Him. Peter said, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). The only way we can be saved, forgiven of our sins and go to heaven is through Jesus. There can be no other way than Jesus! He is the only common denominator for spiritual fellowship, unity and inclusiveness.

There are many peripheral areas of theology that we can disagree on and still be saved, go to heaven, experience unity, fellowship with one another and be inclusive. However, there are some very important areas that we have to agree on or there can be absolutely no inclusiveness spiritually. Don’t get me wrong, this doesn’t mean we don’t accept people the way they are (Romans 15:7) but we are talking about spiritual unity and fellowship. That is something totally different. Assuming that we believe the Bible is the very inspired (God breathed) and infallible Word of God, I will proceed from here to lay the foundation for what we must agree upon for any kind of true spiritual inclusiveness, fellowship and unity.

The Bible makes it abundantly clear that there will be a great deception in the last days (Matthew 24:3-5; 1 Timothy 4:1-3; 1 John 2:18; 4:1-3). In fact, Paul said “the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts (desires) they will heap (accumulate) to themselves teachers having itching ears: And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned to fables (myths or what they want to hear). There are false Jesus’ and false gospels (Galatians 1:6-9 and 2 Corinthians 11:3-5). Please pay close attention to what follows. I will try and be brief so be sure to look up, read and diligently study all scripture references.

Jesus’ eternal existence (Micah 5:2)
In a prophecy about Jesus being born in Bethlehem the prophet writes, “whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” Chuck Smith once said there were two words for everlasting. One meant the vanishing point and this one was from beyond the vanishing point. Jesus’ existence was from beyond the vanishing point of eternity past. He had no beginning.

The virgin birth (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:26-38)
Jesus was conceived of the Holy Spirit. Mary, His mother Mary was a virgin and not just a young lady. It is imperative we are clear on this. This is not something we can disagree on and still be true born again believers.

Jesus is God incarnate (Isaiah7:14 and Matthew 1:23; John 1:1. 14, 18; 5:18; 8:56-59 and Exodus 3:14; John 10:30-33; 14:8-9; Colossians 2:9; Philippians 2:6-11; 1 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 1:8).
This is emphatic. If the Jesus we serve isn’t very God we have the wrong Jesus. Read, study and put to memory these verses. This is the area in which all false teachers and cults deviate. They may often use the same terms as us and mean something totally different. When someone says Jesus is the Son of God ask them what they mean by it. If they do not mean He was very God they are propagating false doctrine. The Jews of Jesus’ day knew Jesus was claiming to be very God when He said God was His Father. That’s why they took up stones to stone Him. Jesus was not just a prophet, priest or great teacher but very God Almighty (Revelation 1:8).

The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)
Jesus was put to death, His blood shed, buried and three days later rose from the dead a physical resurrection. He didn’t just rise from the dead spiritually. After the resurrection Jesus appeared to Thomas telling him to touch the wounds in His flesh (John 20:24-29). That is inevitably much more than spiritual.

Salvation is by faith (Romans 4:4-8; 5:1; Ephesians 2:8-9)
It is faith in the finished work of Christ plus nothing. We are saved by grace through faith. Faith is how it is appropriated. When confronted about faith and works John Calvin said, “It is faith alone that saves but faith that saves is not alone.”

Salvation is by grace apart from works (Ephesians 2:8-9; Galatians 2:21; 3:1-3; 5:4; Romans 11:6)
It can’t be grace and works. It is either one or the other. If you are trusting in works (law) for your salvation and standing with God then you will be judged accordingly when you fall short. If it is by grace alone through your faith in Jesus then God sees you through Jesus’ righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21).

The return of Jesus (Zechariah 14:1-9; Matthew 24:29-31; 2Thessalonians 1:6-10; Acts 1:11; John 14:1-3; Titus 2:13)
There are so many scriptures about the second coming of Jesus to this earth that I have just listed a few. We may differ on our view of the rapture and as to when Jesus will return but that He will return we must agree on.

A literal heaven and hell (John 14:1-6; Revelation 20:11; 21:1; 20:14; 21:8; Matthew 25:41; 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9)
I have just listed a few verses dealing with heaven and hell. We don’t like to talk about hell but it is real. Jesus talked as much about hell as he did heaven. There is false teaching going around today that hell is just here on earth. We do go through times of difficulty here but believe me it is not hell. You see that is why Jesus came. He came and suffered and died for us, in our place, so that we might be reconciled to God and go to heaven and not to hell (1 Peter 3:18).

Inclusiveness
Jesus paid the price on Calvary so that all might be included into His kingdom and family. It is all-inclusive, if you will but come to Him for forgiveness and salvation. God help us but without coming to Him we will be excluded. If you haven’t accepted this real and living Jesus as both your Lord and Savior let me invite you to do so right now.

Prayer: Lord Jesus I come to you now for forgiveness and salvation. I want to go to heaven and be with you one day. Come into my heart, forgive me of my sins and help me to live for you from now on and forever. In Jesus mighty name, amen!

About the Author

Gary Linton is a writer, teacher, church planter and preacher with over 30 years of ministry and church planting experience. As founder of GSL Ministries, Gary trains and encourages pastors and church leaders from all walks of life.