Romans 4:9-12 (The Message and TNIV) Reading Plan
For the past few days, we have camped in one segment of Paul's letter. What are we to take away from this text? Is the takeaway "circumcision"? Or is there something broader Paul is communicating. I believe that Paul's radical inclusion of the Gentiles as God's people provides the start to a much broader principle that affects us today: the removing of all outward distinctions in the face of God's grace and the universal offer of the gospel according to Jesus. Our church is called to be a genuinely "counter-cultural" institution, where the usual association barriers - race, nationality, economic status, etc. - have no relevance at all.
While most of us would agree that the universal Church does look like this, most individual churches rarely do. Yesterday, Rhonda and I worshiped with some family at Reunion Church in Dallas. As I stood in the foyer before the service started, I couldn't help but notice the diversity in the room. There were white people, black people, brown people, poor people, rich people, homed people, homeless people, fit people, fat people, healthy people and addicted people. It was a rainbow of people who had tasted the grace of God or were exploring the option. There was something powerful in that space yesterday morning.
Take a moment this morning to watch this video of the pastor of Reunion Church, Richard Ellis. Watch the video where he is wearing the colored shirt, in particular. Both are good, but the second one really speaks to our text today.
Let us know what thoughts you have about this "inclusion" concept of the gospel? Is it easier to say than to do? What keeps us from being more radically diverse as a church? Do you even think we should be trying?
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