Christianity: balancing inclusivity with salvation’s narrow path

Description: How do Christians balance the inclusive call to love with the exclusive path to salvation? Explore this vital tension in Christian living.

Introduction

Balancing inclusivity and exclusivity in Christian life

Inclusivity and exclusivity are words that stir up strong emotions in today’s society. Some Christians, in their eagerness to be welcoming, adopt an anything goes approach. Others, in their zeal to maintain purity of belief, become overly exclusive, creating barriers Jesus may well not have endorsed.

How do we find a balance between these extremes? What does it mean to be truly inclusive or exclusive from a Christian perspective? This blog explores these concepts and their implications for modern believers.

Understanding inclusivity and exclusivity in Christianity

Inclusivity is generally understood as an open-hearted approach, where no one is excluded based on attributes such as gender, race, class, sexuality, or disability. For many, this seems to resonate with the welcoming nature of Christianity, but what lies beneath the surface of this concept?

Exclusivity, on the other hand, often involves setting boundaries and distinguishing who belongs based on specific criteria, and who doesn’t. In a Christian context, exclusivity may seem harsh, but it also has theological grounding in the teachings of Christ himself.

The challenge lies in understanding how these principles coexist in faith without compromising the integrity of the Gospel.

The inclusive call of the gospel

Jesus' teachings make it clear that the Gospel is to be shared with all people. In the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20), Jesus commanded his followers to make disciples of all nations and teach them to follow his instructions. This directive leaves no room for discrimination based on ethnicity, gender, or social standing. In fact, Jesus demonstrated inclusivity in his ministry, welcoming the marginalised and those seen as sinners, whether they were tax collectors, lepers, or Samaritans.

However, inclusivity, in the Christian sense, does not equate to endorsing every behaviour or belief. While the invitation to follow Jesus is extended to everyone, he still called people to repentance and transformation. His inclusivity embraced people where they were, but did not leave them unchanged.

As modern Christians, we should take care not to confuse inclusivity with permissiveness. A church that opens its doors to everyone should also encourage growth in discipleship by teaching the truths of scripture. While we embrace people from every walk of life, we should also lovingly guide them to the standards Christ has set for his followers.

The narrow path: the exclusive nature of salvation

While Jesus' message of love and salvation is inclusive, he also spoke about the narrow path leading to life (Matthew 7:13-14). This path is exclusive, in the sense that it requires a personal commitment to follow Christ. Not all ways lead to God. Jesus clearly stated that he is the way, the truth, and the life, and that no one comes to the Father except through him (John 14:6).

This is where exclusivity comes into play. Christianity, while open to all, asserts that salvation comes only through faith in Jesus Christ. This isn’t a private club designed to alienate, but a clear declaration that eternal life is found through Christ alone.

Accordingly, the exclusivity of Christianity is not about rejecting people; it’s about staying true to the Gospel. Even so, this belief can be seen as controversial, especially in an age where relativism and pluralism are on the rise. (Relativism is the belief that truth and moral principles are not absolute but vary depending on individual perspectives, cultures, or contexts; pluralism is the acceptance and coexistence of different beliefs, world-views, and religions within society, i.e. holding that multiple perspectives can be equally valid).

However, we should remember that exclusivity in salvation doesn’t cancel out God’s love for humanity as a whole. Rather, it upholds the truth that Jesus' sacrifice is the only sufficient means to restore our (individual and collective) broken relationship with God.

The tension between inclusivity and exclusivity

Christianity walks a delicate line between welcoming all and holding fast to truth. The tension between inclusivity and exclusivity is not a contradiction but a reflection of the Gospel itself. God's love is inclusive, inviting all into relationship with him. Yet, the path to salvation is exclusive, requiring faith in Jesus.

Human nature tends to push us towards extremes – either embracing an overly inclusive approach where all beliefs and behaviours are accepted without question, or an overly exclusive stance that alienates those seeking Christ. Neither extreme reflects the heart of the Gospel.

Inclusivity should never mean compromising the truth of the Gospel, but neither should it mean erecting barriers to those who are genuinely seeking. The church’s role is to be a community of grace and truth, extending love to everyone while holding fast to the teachings of Jesus.

Living out this balance as Christians today

For Christians today, the challenge is to embody both aspects of Christ’s teachings. We are called to be open and welcoming, embodying the love of Jesus to all we encounter, but we must also be unwavering in our commitment to the truth of the Gospel.

This means lovingly engaging with those who may not yet know Christ and building relationships that reflect God’s grace. It also means not shying away from difficult conversations about sin, repentance, and the cost of discipleship. Jesus, after all, called people to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow him (Luke 9:23). This was a high call that didn’t water down the Gospel but invited people into the fullness of life in Christ.

Conclusion: a faithful and loving church

In conclusion, Christianity is both radically inclusive and necessarily exclusive. The call to follow Jesus is open to all people, regardless of background or status. At the same time, the path of discipleship is a narrow one, requiring commitment to Jesus' teachings and a life transformed by his grace.

As Christians, we must seek to live out this balance, being a church that welcomes all but never compromises the core truths of the Gospel. We are called to love, but also to proclaim the exclusive message of salvation through Christ. In doing so, we reflect the heart of God – an inclusive love that invites all, and an exclusive path that leads to life.