Hi-Just wanted to insert a comment about the definition of reconciling and the statement of bringing All God's children home.
First, inclusion is more synonomous with tolerance-Not reconciliation. When I tolerate someone who anoys me, or whom I don't agree with, it is not fellowship, and it is not love. God's love is not one of mere tolerance-he doesn't want opposing belief systems to coexist in His house, He has one word and One system of Faith in our One Messiah and Lord-Jesus the Christ. To reconcile requires a working through differences to reach a destination of commonality-In the bible, being reconciliation is restoring fellowship with God through His truth, which requires a removal of whatever caused the relationship to be broken in the first place-Sin. To include is to allow all parties equal privy-While this concept works in democracy, it doesn't work in the church's theocracy.
We are all God's creation-We are not all God's children. We don't become children of God until we are born of God-by being Born of the Water and Spirit. This only comes through faith and true repentance (John 3 & Acts 2:38) True Children of God don't need to be reconciled to him-We were reconciled through New Birth.
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Originally Posted by kara speltz
Dearest Kelli: Oh, how I understand those feelings! I go to a Roman Catholic parish that is affiliated with UC Berkeley. The vast majority of our congregation have all sorts of degrees. So when I was first invited to preach, I was terrified and spoke with a dear friend (my ex-husband) about it. He reminded me that our God rarely chooses the highly educated to speak prophetically. His apostles for the most part were just your average working class folks.
So welcome to the club. I know God is using you in absolutely amazing ways. Your excitement and energy are totally awesome, and it is part of why you've been called.
Much love, Kara
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