Inclusive

Picture this: a church service where people from different continents, ethnic backgrounds, and customs—all are together for the purpose of worshipping the Lord. Everyone gets along. Everyone mixes easily. The differences only make the members of the church more interesting—and more interested in others. Visitors feel welcomed, and no one feels out of place.

Truthfully, this sounds like our church. Over the years, the only peopled continent not represented in our midst has been Asia. Oh yes, we’re in Spain, but let’s take last night for an example. There were people from three continents, five different ethnic groups, and four nations. It was a baptismal service, and the young man getting baptized had invited his relatives, so we had four first-time visitors who are Spanish in nationality but not in ethnicity. They are gypsies.

We have learned so much from the different people in our church. Our Australian woman taught us Australian English terms for pick-up trucks, parking lots, and more. Our Africans have shared about their different customs and traditional beliefs. We live in a bi-cultural region, which is very interesting, and our other Europeans and South Americans have also taught us so much. The people in our church learn from each other. A lot of it isn’t cultural, either. It’s things like patience, long-suffering, temperance, praying for the brethren, loving and forgiving. We’re a family.

God is pleased with inclusivity. He doesn’t reject anyone who comes to Him.

Here’s why I believe God is inclusive:

• Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost (Matthew 28:19).
• 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).
• Jesus said, I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world (John 6:51).
• Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life (John 8:12).
• I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world (John 12:46-47).
• And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved (Acts 2:21, also in Romans 10:13).

I love this object lesson from God: Peter is on his housetop praying. He falls into a trance and sees a vision of the heaven opened and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven (Acts 10:11b-16).

Here’s Jewish Peter, who had never eaten anything unclean. His response to the vision is perfectly normal. (Did he think it was a test of his Jewishness?) He says, “No way would I eat those things. They are unclean.” The vision is repeated three times, and each time, the Lord says, “What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.”

By that third time, Peter finally understood God’s message. It had nothing to do with eating. It had to do with people, people whose hearts God had cleansed, people that God would cleanse in the future. In fact, his first opportunity to put his newly learned knowledge into practice is downstairs at that very minute. Cornelius’ messengers are at the door.

Cornelius is a Gentile, and Peter travels to his home in Caesarea. Cornelius and all the people in his house are eager to hear Peter speak. Peter tells them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean. Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him (Acts 10:28, 34-35).

Peter preaches the good news of Jesus to Cornelius’ household. While he was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell on them. It was so obvious that these Gentiles had believed in Jesus that the Jewish people with Peter were astonished. Peter baptized the new converts and later defended to the Jews his decision to preach to Gentiles.

God is inclusive.

It doesn’t matter about your background; He loves you. He died for you.

If you already know Jesus Christ personally, make sure that you don’t value one people group more than another. That you don’t shun anyone because of his ethnicity, religion, or outward appearance. That you don’t think you’re better than anyone else—because you’re not. That you actually put others before yourself. That you become selfless, like Jesus.

Let others’ differences be interesting to you. Embrace them as people. Love them like God loves them.

In heaven, we’ll be with people from every nation, language, and background—for eternity.

Praise the Lord that He’s inclusive!

. . . not willing that any should perish,

 but that all should come to repentance.

(from 2 Peter 3:9)

(The Peter and Cornelius story is from the whole chapter of Acts 10.)

Modesty: A Backwards Approach

Modesty—(noun) The quality or state of being modest; specifically, unassuming or humble behavior, lack of excesses or pretensions; moderation, decency; decorum.*

Most Christian women believe they should be modestly dressed, but there are many interpretations of the word “modest.” Some believe a certain style of dress is required, like the Amish and some Mennonite groups.** At the other end of the spectrum, some Christian women wear exactly what unbelievers wear, not giving any thought to whether it’s modest or not.

The Bible says, In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array (1 Timothy 2:9). The Greek word for modest used here is kosmios. It means modest, of good behavior, well-arranged, seemly, modest.***

Okay, what is modest?

Let’s start with what it’s not.

Go with me to the most not modest: a loose woman.

What do prostitutes routinely wear? Their clothing can be described by words like skimpy, tight, short, provocative, revealing, low, etc. A woman who is trying to advertise her body wears clothes that focus attention on what she is selling. Her clothing typically shows off the same parts of her anatomy. (I don’t think I need to get specific.) Part of the effect is what’s put together. For example, we were in a city where there was a loose woman on every single street corner. They all wore high-heeled boots to the knee, black fishnet hose, and miniskirts. By their dress, they proclaimed their trade.

Soooo, what kind of clothes do you think a godly woman should avoid? If a loose woman wears very short, tight, low clothing, then a godly woman should not wear short, tight, and low clothing. That’s pretty easy, isn’t it? Don’t wear short shorts, mini skirts, or low tops. Don’t go with tight clothing. You also should avoid showing a lot of skin.

What kind of attention do you want? You don’t want people’s eyes going to certain parts of your body. You want them to look you in the eye. You want respect.

Fashion models today tend to be six feet tall and size zero. They are exceptional girls—and so it has been throughout the centuries. There has always been a “model” body shape.

The Bible tells us Christian women have models, too. Let’s read 1 Timothy 2:9-10 again. In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. According to these verses, who are our models? (Look in the parentheses.) They are women who profess godliness!

The Bible is not talking about anyone’s silhouette. It is plain that our clothing models should be godly women.

Do you know any godly woman who evidences her godliness by how she dresses? With this woman in mind:

• What do you notice about her clothing?
• What exactly does she wear?  
• How would you describe her clothing? (I have a feeling you would use words like covering, longer, discreet, appropriate, tasteful, and maybe even beautiful.)
• What kinds of accessories does she use?
• Do you notice first her clothes or her character?

Let’s look at another Bible passage: Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price (1 Peter 3:3-4).

According to this passage, what is the godly woman’s adornment?

Are you surprised?

It’s her spirit! The meek (strength under control) and quiet spirit. What does God say about a woman like this? He approves! In fact, He says it’s an eternal treasure.

Modest clothing is important to God. He wants us to model the Christ-likeness we see in truly godly women. He wants us to exalt Him in the way we dress. He cares.

But even more than modest dress, God cares about our character.

Let’s look at the Virtuous Woman of Proverbs 31. What do her clothes look like?

She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. She was classy. She looked nice and took pride in what she wore. Then, we read a curious statement: Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come (verses 23, 25). Her strong character is her clothing!

What did others—including God—think of her? Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

• Do we really want to please God?
• Do we really want others to see the Lord in us?
• Do we want our husband and children to praise us?

We need to dress—inside and out—to please God!

_________________________________________________

*Webster's New World College Dictionary

**Although I don’t personally wear these styles, I have no criticism of those who do, especially if the motivation is pleasing God.

***Online Bible