Christianity: Inclusive to All, Exclusive to Follow

There’s a tension in the gospel that makes people uncomfortable. We love the idea that Christianity is for everyone, “Come one, come all”, but we bristle when we hear that following Christ means saying no to ourselves and yes to Him. It’s a beautiful paradox: the gospel is radically inclusive in its invitation, but deeply exclusive in its demands.

The Open Invitation
Let’s start with the inclusivity of the gospel. The invitation to follow Jesus goes out to every tribe, tongue, and nation. There is no sin too dark, no past too messy, no heart too hard that the blood of Jesus can’t cleanse. Jesus said,

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28, LSB).

That’s everyone. All are invited. Every sinner is welcomed to the foot of the cross. The gospel is not reserved for the religious elite, the morally polished, or the church-raised. Jesus came for the broken, the sick, the outcast, and the overlooked.

God’s heart beats for the world. John 3:16 doesn’t say He loved a few; it says He loved the world. And that love was demonstrated in the most costly way, by the death of His Son. That’s the inclusive nature of Christianity: no one is too far gone, and no one is left out of the call to repentance and faith.

But don’t miss this…

The Narrow Way
While the invitation is open, the path is narrow. Jesus said,

“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is narrow and the way is constricted that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matthew 7:13–14, LSB)

That’s the exclusive part. You don’t get to follow Jesus and still be the lord of your life. Christianity isn’t “choose your own adventure”—it’s a call to die to self and live in Christ.

“If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” (Luke 9:23, LSB)

This is where many turn away. They like the idea of grace but reject the cost of discipleship. They want Jesus as Savior but not as Lord. But Jesus didn’t say “pray a prayer and carry on.” He said, “Follow Me.”

To follow Christ is to enter into a new identity, a new mission, and a new allegiance. It’s to say goodbye to the old man and walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4). It means leaving behind sin, self, and the approval of the world.

“You are not your own. For you were bought with a price…” (1 Corinthians 6:19–20, LSB)

Christianity is exclusive in that it requires repentance, submission, and transformation. It’s not a club, it’s a calling.

Grace That Transforms
This isn’t about earning your way in, it’s about living like someone who’s been brought in. Grace is not opposed to effort; it’s opposed to earning. Salvation is by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8–9), but true faith always bears fruit.

“Faith without works is dead” (James 2:26, LSB).

So yes, Christianity is for everyone. It is the most inclusive faith in its offer of mercy. But it is the most exclusive in its call to holiness.

You can come as you are, but you can’t stay as you are. The grace that saves you is the same grace that sanctifies you. Jesus meets us in our mess, but He loves us too much to leave us there.

The Final Word
If you’re reading this and you’ve felt the tug of God’s Spirit on your heart, don’t resist. Come to Jesus. Bring your brokenness. Bring your doubt. Bring your addiction, shame, pride, and wounds. He will receive you.

But understand this: He will also change you.

Christianity is not a self-help program; it’s a surrender to God. It’s not about finding your truth, it’s about submitting to The Truth (John 14:6).

Inclusive? Yes.
Exclusive? Absolutely.
And that’s what makes it so powerful.

In Love,

Pastor Jody