Diversity, inclusion, and equity, these are the words proclaimed by the world today. But I want to open your eyes to a truth—a truth of God. The dictionary defines the word diversity as “the practice or quality of including or involving people from a range of different social and ethnic backgrounds and of different genders, sexual orientations, etc.” First, look at that definition through the truth of the word of God.

Satan has twisted the words of the Lord and has deceived the nations of this world. God created man and woman. He set them in the garden to live in harmony with each other but most importantly, with Him. But Satan deceived them, and they broke the only rule that the Lord had given to them, “Do not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.” Through this act of rebellion, mankind plummeted into the darkness of sin and death. The word of God is clear on how we are to live our lives. We are to forsake the passions of our flesh and live in accordance with His law. Now, I am not trying to provoke you, but the word of God is clear. Homosexuality is a sin and we are to live our lives in a way that glorifies God. I am speaking from a place of love and not of hate—do not be deceived! The world wants you to believe that if a person doesn’t agree with you, then they hate you. That couldn’t be farther from the truth. My desire—God’s desire—is for you to find truth, repentance, and everlasting love in the arms of Christ.

As believers, we are taught, ^“So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.  And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.” (2 Timothy 2:22-26)

Next, let’s look at inclusion and equity. The word inclusion is defined as, “the action or state of including or of being included within a group or a structure.” There is no greater group than the family of God!  “Revelation 7:9-10, After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” Can you see it? A great multitude that no one could count. People from every nation, tribe, and language—all gathered together, praising God in one LOUD voice! Oh, how my heart longs for this moment! Jesus commanded us to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20) The kingdom of God is true inclusion. There is no one excluded because of the color of their skin or where they come from. No one is excluded based on income or status. All who seek the Lord, repent of their sins, and accept the gift of salvation through the blood of Jesus, are part of the kingdom of God.

That brings us to equity. Romans 3:23, “…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…” ALL have sinned—ALL fall short—ALL need Jesus! We cannot work our way into heaven. We must set aside our “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” mentality, and humble ourselves before God. We must submit ourselves to Him, to His Holy Spirit, so that through the blood of Christ, through His death and sacrifice for us, we can be made whole—not through our own efforts, but solely through his death and resurrection.

Please do not take these words as a message of hate! That couldn’t be farther from the truth. But in truth, we as followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, are to speak what the Lord brings to our hearts. The kingdom of God is the greatest treasure, so much more valuable than any of us can possibly imagine. It is worth more than all we could ever acquire through our lives of work and toil. Please dear friend, do not be deceived. One day, all of us will stand before the great throne of God. We will all have to give an account of how we lived our lives. Do not be deceived…heaven is not overrated, as a famous man once said. Do not allow your willfulness and pride to deprive you of the treasure that awaits those who love the Lord.

 “And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ…” -Amen