Exclusive Inclusivity
I watched the movie 'Kingdom of Heaven' on Sunday night. It's set at the time of the crusades and is about a creating a better world, a kingdom of heaven, in Jerusalem where different peoples meet. Things go badly and the wrong guy becomes king and eventually Jerusalem is lost.
It's quite an interesting movie (with lots of action) but one line stuck out for me.
'It's a Kingdom of conscious or nothing.'
It struck me because in many ways that's what the Christian faith is all about. Nowadays we spend a lot of time hearing about we've given choices, and all are welcome and you don't have to do anything. But the fact is that upfront, when we come face to face with Christ there will only be two choices and only one is right.
'Did you love me, or did you not?'
'Did you follow me, or did you not?'
'Did you have a Kingdom conscious, or not?'
'Are you with me, or not?'
It's really quite exclusive. You're either in or your out. You're on one side or the other. No fence-sitting allowed. No 'I'll do that bit but not that awkward bit'. Everything or nothing.
Yet this exclusivity leads to ultimate inclusivity. By choosing Christ, by picking his side, all things are possible.
You can love anyone for there is no fear of what others may think or do.
You can ask for anything knowing that your father is listening and the right answer will come back.
You can bow your head and bend your knee anywhere and at anytime knowing that that is as it should be.
You can see yourself without self-loathing
You can pick up a load knowing that if it needs to be carried then it shall be.
You can give your life without fear of death.
By choosing JC you get the exclusive rights to all things.
Only by excluding all other things can you include all things.
Read the original story by Gaston
It's quite an interesting movie (with lots of action) but one line stuck out for me.
'It's a Kingdom of conscious or nothing.'
It struck me because in many ways that's what the Christian faith is all about. Nowadays we spend a lot of time hearing about we've given choices, and all are welcome and you don't have to do anything. But the fact is that upfront, when we come face to face with Christ there will only be two choices and only one is right.
'Did you love me, or did you not?'
'Did you follow me, or did you not?'
'Did you have a Kingdom conscious, or not?'
'Are you with me, or not?'
It's really quite exclusive. You're either in or your out. You're on one side or the other. No fence-sitting allowed. No 'I'll do that bit but not that awkward bit'. Everything or nothing.
Yet this exclusivity leads to ultimate inclusivity. By choosing Christ, by picking his side, all things are possible.
You can love anyone for there is no fear of what others may think or do.
You can ask for anything knowing that your father is listening and the right answer will come back.
You can bow your head and bend your knee anywhere and at anytime knowing that that is as it should be.
You can see yourself without self-loathing
You can pick up a load knowing that if it needs to be carried then it shall be.
You can give your life without fear of death.
By choosing JC you get the exclusive rights to all things.
Only by excluding all other things can you include all things.
Read the original story by Gaston
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