Coffee With The Lord

The last one chosen… or maybe NEVER chosen – the pain of exclusion!

Perhaps you’ve experienced it – or you’ve talked to those who have. It’s painful – no, more than that; it’s psychologically and emotionally damaging! In fact, some people never get past the pain of exclusion! I’ve watched little boys and girls on the playground with tears running down their face and seen them sulk off by themselves to bear the wounds of exclusion. And painful rejection and exclusion are not only childhood experiences – it happens to adults! Rejected for organizations, for jobs, and excluded by “the in crowd.” The pain of exclusion is a universal social tragedy.

But God doesn’t do it! In fact, His promise is, “Whoever comes to me I will NEVER cast out!” (John 6:37) and the parable of the Prodigal illustrates it beautifully!

Sometimes when we read the Bible we get the idea that “Jews” are “God’s chosen people” and “Gentiles” are the last ones chosen – the “Johnny come latelys” – an “afterthought” in God’s program of things. In the eternal scheme of things they are only the afterthoughts – the rejected ones through the centuries, standing off in the corner of the playground, wiping the tears from their eyes… And God finally says “Well OK, I guess I’ll take him or her on my team!” No! A thousand times NO!

This morning I read this wonderful, inspired passage that Apostle Paul closes his epistle to the Romans with…

“This message about Jesus Christ [the Gospel] revealed God’s plan for you Gentiles, A PLAN KEPT SECRET FROM THE BEGINNING OF TIME. BUT NOW AS THE PROPHETS FORETOLD AND AS THE ETERNAL GOD HAS COMMANDED, THIS MESSAGE IS MADE KNOWN TO ALL GENTILES EVERYWHERE, so that they too might believe and obey him! All glory to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, forever.! Amen! (Romans 16:25–27 NLT)

So we’re NOT “John-come-latelys!” We’re NOT an afterthought – a reluctant choice! We were included in God’s wonderful plan of salvation through Christ from the very beginning of time! How did the old Gospel song put it…

“Jesus included me!
Yes, He included me!
When the Lord said, “Whosoever,” (John 3:16)
He included me!”

Holy Spirit generated “boldness” (Acts 4 esp. vss. 13, 29 & 31 and 28:31) is not rude, crude, “in your face” religious demagoguery … instead it is a loving, unapologetic, honest expression of the “good news” of the gospel and the joy of serving the Lord and others in Jesus’ name. It is incredibly attractive to many who are searching for spiritual reality and an authentic lifestyle.

Lord, I want and need the “boldness” that the Holy Spirit produces! The ancient church prayed for it and you granted it (Acts 4:29-31)! Generate it again in us!

Need an assuring word today as you seek to follow the Lord? Here’s one I encountered today in my Bible reading during my time of “coffee with the Lord”…

“But as for you…I have called you…I have chosen you and will not throw you away! Don’t be afraid for I am with you! Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God! I will strengthen you and help you! I will hold you up with my victorious right hand! For I hold you by your right hand – I, the Lord your God. I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid, I am here to help you! … I am the Lord, your Redeemer, I am the Holy One of Israel!’” (From Isaiah 41:8-14)

Now you (and I) need to hear that from the Lord! And it needs to be noted that those words were not spoken to perfect people! They were spoken to a wayward, rebellious nation – people who had often gone their own way and failed miserably! They were deserving of judgment but the Lord offered them mercy and love!

Perhaps that describes you! Oh hear his voice through His word! He calls you to Himself – He claims you as His own – a loving Heavenly Father, a gracious Redeemer! His purposes for your life and mine are wonderful!