The Family of God: Who's In?

Adoption into the family of God is a beautiful thing, but how do we know who our relatives are? In my last blog post I wrote about finding Christian brothers and sisters during my time in Costa Rica. These heart-encouraging friends came as a refreshing contrast to those who didn’t believe as I do. But while these friends definitely felt like fellow adopted brothers and sisters, other acquaintances seemed like distant cousins. How do I know if they’re even in the body of Christ? Are they just odd family members or are they posers? Since we’re all adopted, it’s hard to tell who is in the family and who’s not (if anyone’s excluded…).

Now I need to say very clearly: I don’t claim to know who is in the family of God.

I can’t know who’s in God’s family, because I’m not God; that’s why this post is difficult for me to write. Yet I do know what God has revealed to us about the adoption process and the signs for who’s in the fam.

Who’s in?

The Bible explains that through our sin and disobedience to God, humankind was separated from God. “God is light, and in him is no darkness at all,” says 1 John 1:5. God had to separate us from Himself once we took on the impurity of sin, and there is no way we can overcome the distance by ourselves. Because of our sin, the only possible result for a righteous God was punishment with death. “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even while we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved,” explains Ephesians 2:4-5, revealing the beautiful redemption we can receive through Jesus Christ who died for us. 

So how do we get adopted? “Through Jesus Christ,” says Ephesians, in accordance with God’s pleasure and will. God wants us to be his family, and we can be… if we accept the offer. Jesus already died in our place, but the Bible tells us we must also humbly turn from sin—having faith that being in God’s family is worth following Jesus. 1 John 1:9 explains that “if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” The simple but monumental step is the good news offered to us called the Gospel. I write about it often, but only because I can tell no more important story.

Okay, so I get it… I believe that Jesus died for my sins and rose from the dead. Now what? How do you know I’m in?

Well, that’s the tough part. We’ve all known way too many “Christians” who don’t act any different than anyone else. Yet the Apostle James says that “faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” We’re supposed to be able to tell Christians apart because they obey the word of God—loving others, denying themselves, living generously. Jesus said, 

Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.

Christians are supposed to be marked by love. Historically, we often have been—Christians stand up for human life even when it’s mangled, imperfect, old, deformed, or dangerous to do so. Christians give up comforts to serve the poor. Christians die for the message they believe.

Addressing Christian Universalism

Why are not all people in the family of God? Why isn’t everyone saved? These are some difficult questions I’ve come to wrestle with through interactions here in Guatemala. Christian Universalism holds that all people will ultimately be reconciled God without any eternal punishment for sin. The view is extremely appealing. Who wants to believe that people are going to hell? Doesn’t that make God seem unloving?

The questions are weighty; answers are not easy. Exclusivism is quite distasteful. Last week I sat in a metal school building discussing these ideas with a friend. As distant sunlight trickled in through the door across dusty concrete floors, we both felt the burden of differing theologies/beliefs about God and salvation.

Looking to the Bible for truth, I’ve been studying Romans—a book I feel intimidated by for its dense theology. Romans 8 says, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” For those who are in Christ Jesus. In Christ Jesus. Everyone? No, it doesn’t seem so. Saint Paul writes that “Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.” Hmm. He isn’t condemning anyone; instead, he is making clear that there is no condemnation for those adopted into the family of God through Christ.

Paul is rejoicing in the grace given to those of us who believe. I still must soberly ask, what about the others? Will they not be saved? Why not? In the next chapter of Romans, Paul writes:

What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means! For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.

God chooses who will receive mercy? It seems unfair to my human way of thinking. I wish Paul wrote more about those who are not in Christ Jesus. Doesn’t the Bible also say that God “is the Savior of all people,” and “love never fails”? These are tough questions, yet I have to humbly hear Paul’s caution: “Who are you, O man, to answer back to God?” I’m limited in my thinking by my humanity. I don’t understand the ways of God; but if His Word says some receive mercy and some don’t, I have to stop questioning at some point and believe. I know belief in condemnation is not popular. I know it’s not “tolerant” of other religions and beliefs. I think I’d rather believe all will ultimately be saved, but the idea doesn’t sit well with me.

I feel that universalism sucks the power out of the Gospel. If all will ultimately be saved, what’s the point in belief? What’s the point in following God in this life? Why all the talk about faith and belief in the Bible? Why all the commands? Wouldn’t it be easier to say, “Enjoy life and the fact you’re all okay.”?

If all will ultimately be saved, I’m wasting my life trying to tell others about what I believe. It’s that simple; the point of Christian Universalism is pivotal for me. If I’m wrong, which I very well could be, then I’m causing people unnecessary trouble by preaching this Gospel. If I’m wrong, then I’m giving my heart unnecessary burden by praying for “the unsaved.”  But if my beliefs are in line with truth, then I absolutely ought to tell anyone I can that salvation is available to them. I absolutely ought to be less “open-minded,” because one way will prove to be right in the end. I’ve put all my chips in trusting Jesus Christ.     

So there it is. I’m a mere human, so I don’t entirely understand the work of God. I appeal to the Bible because I don’t have anything else to hold on to. I don’t have any experience of the afterlife or any view into heaven. What I do have is what I believe to be the Word of God given to us in a written form, and it’s truer than anything else I’ve ever read. God is God. I am not. Jesus tells us the mysteries of God are such that He has “hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children.” Ultimately I have to trust God as my Father and rest in gratitude for the grace I’ve been given.