Them Too? Yes, Even Them!

Acts 10:44-48

I recently had another one of those discussions which always seems to get me in trouble. You know, the one where I mention that in my personal theology I believe all people go to heaven, regardless of race, gender identification, political affiliation, or religious belief. These conversations get me in trouble because it's sometimes difficult to comprehend how deeply I believe the love of God to be.

As the conversation proceeded I was eventually asked, "But isn't it our duty as Christians to bring the news of Jesus to everyone?" To which my reply was, "But, isn't the love of God as shown to us by our Christ already known to everyone?"

You see, I cannot imagine a God who loves any less than to include all people in such a way as to bring them into God's family in heaven.

Of course I also mentioned that for me the way into God's heavenly family was through my personal savior, Jesus Christ. What I tried to make the distinction between is that for some the path to heaven went through Jesus Christ, and for others the way into God's family went down a different path; one which God also provided. I tried my best to make it clear that I believe there is only one God, and that one God would be ecstatic to have everyone take their path to be in God's heavenly home.

I told a story of a young woman I know who at the beginning of our relationship told me she wanted nothing to do with God or religion or church. In fact, she had even asked me to stop talking about such things in her presence. I agreed, but still included her in other conversations about life. We talked about family, friends, weekend activities, and other things like that.

One day, while she was going through one of lie's difficulties she asked me if I really believed that there was a God who loved us no matter what. I simply said yes, which began a new relationship between us; one based in conversations surrounding God's love through Jesus Christ.

It was through my respect for her and the path she was on that brought her closer to God. It's through this same respect I fully understand God's love to live in all people whether they are Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Christian, straight, gay, bisexual, male, female, transgender, or whatever. As Paul reminds us in his letter to the church in Galatia, it's in our act of trusting that we all are participants in the fact that Jesus has come to ensure the world that through his mere existence everyone will know the love of God, and that through his mere existence all people are equal citizens within the Kingdom of God.

To me, there is no greater knowledge that God's all-encompassing love for all of God's people extends throughout all the world so that we can all participate in God's heavenly home, whatever that home may look like for you, or wherever that home may be.