The Danger of Exclusion

 "They zealously seek you in no good way. No, they desire to alienate you, that you may seek them." (Galatians 4:17 ISV)


There is something about humanity that eagerly seeks that which is running away from it. It is a sign of a deep brokenness on our part. We are increasingly attracted to things that are constantly unattainable or unreachable. We find the person who is disinterested in us more attractive than a person who is by our side and loves us for who we are.

I see this a lot in romantic relationships. Exclusion is used as a tool for manipulation. One party makes him/herself constantly unavailable emotionally or physically. He/she knows that it increases the other party's cravings. This drives the other party to want to pursue him/her even more.

Sadly, preachers and so called apostles have been using this same technique for millenia. In the passage above, Paul tells the Galatians that the Judaizers who had come to them were using the same tactic. They were painting the picture of a distant God; one who still had a few requirements for them to enjoy him. Of course, they were very conversant with these requirements and will be sharing it from time to time.


Tragically, once people are drawn to such messages, the cycle will never stop. The exclusion message will continue. You will always have one thing missing in your life. There will always be something you're not doing or are ignorant of that will disqualify you from God. And you're not doing the ones that you are doing well enough or long enough or something. What a shame.

To the person that has been told this kind of message. Know that Jesus loves you and has paid the full price for your salvation.  There is nothing more for you to do in order to get closer to God, just believe. He doesn't play games with you. He is always there by your side and available to you. Anyone who preaches that you lack certain steps or that you're disqualified is only seeking for you to follow them.

To the ministers who preach the Grace of God. This is a call to relax.  If you're wondering why some people leave your congregation or why your  ministry is not as large as you think it should be. Be aware that people in their brokenness are drawn to exclusion. If the Galatians who were converted through Paul and heard the Gospel of Grace directly from his mouth and deeds, if they could be drawn away by those who claimed that they needed to be circumcised.  It shouldn't surprise you that some fall away. Just keep preaching the Gospel. Some people can't handle freedom