Psalm 89:8 O Lord God Almighty, who is like you?
You are mighty, O Lord, and your faithfulness surrounds you.

It’s interesting that “Ethan the Ezrahite” doesn’t seem to have that firm a grasp on the concept of monotheism, yet his Psalm has long been accepted as part of the Bible, and is even recognized as a Messianic prophecy (verses 26-27). At least he did see Yahweh as the Creator, and greater than any other potentially divine being. The point is that our theology doesn’t have to be perfect in order to worship God. We tend to set up our systems and exclude whoever doesn’t check all the right boxes, but God doesn’t work that way. God is interested in our hearts far more than in our theology. That’s why it is very foolish to go around insisting that such a person is saved and such a person is not saved. I am no universalist, but I do believe that there are at least some people in genuinely heretical sects who are going to wind up in heaven because their fundamental faith is in Jesus Christ, whatever other junk might be cluttering up their understanding. On the other hand, I believe there are some who are theologically “pure” who will be excluded. Jesus was clear on that point in Matthew 7:21-23, and again in the story of the sheep and the goats in Matthew 25:31-46. What we believe is indeed very important, but what is most important is a heart that is tender toward God.

I have seen more than enough division on the basis of theological shibboleths, and I believe God’s heart is grieved by such things. There are theological errors in every denomination, though God is the only one who knows precisely what they all are. God obviously values diversity, as Paul expressed at length in 1 Corinthians 12, but what really matters is love, as he went on to make clear in 1 Corinthians 13. When Jesus was asked to rank the commandments, He focused right in on love for God as being most important, and added love for our fellow human beings as right up there with that. (Matthew 22:36-40) I have seen love thrown out the window too many times! That does not change the reality that Jesus is the only way to the Father, (John 14:6) and that there is no other way to salvation (Acts 4:12). I am to be completely unwavering in proclaiming Christ, but I must do so in love, for God and for those whom He has created, or I will be in danger of preaching empty religion instead of life. I am not to turn a blind eye to things that are in violation of the Bible, particularly in areas of morality, but I am not to set up tests of “doctrinal purity,” in my mind or in my practice. I’ve got to remember that everyone who loves God and trusts in Jesus is my brother or sister, and let God sort it all out.

Father, thank You for the various things You have led me through to bring me to this understanding, including the times I have been the one excluded. Help me release it all into Your hands. Help me love You and love my neighbor as You desire and intend, so that as many as possible may be brought into Your family and we be one indeed, even as Jesus prayed, (John 17:20-21) for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!