The buzz word today is "inclusion." On both sides of the Atlantic political leaders are using that word like never before. The idea is, the more different kinds of people who get involved with the political process, the better off the majority will be. 

Although it concerns us, such thinking from our secular leaders is to be expected. After all, the Bible teaches the secular are held captive by Satan to do his will. But, when that buzz word is heard coming from our church leaders, it's time for us Christians to get seriously concerned.

Evidently, the (so-called) Rev. William Barnwell is comparing the Episcopal Church's acceptance of a openly gay bishop to his own acceptance by the church after he divorced and remarried. Barnwell acknowledged what the church did for him was against the teachings of both the Apostle Paul and Jesus, but praised the church for doing it anyway.

This is how Barnwell put it: "I could argue that the overwhelming emphasis on inclusion in the New Testament trumps the two or three passages from St. Paul that may condemn homosexuality; just as his sublime passages on freedom trump his support of slavery" (Read about it here).

What a bunch of hog wash. This apostate clergyman even felt free to twist Paul's teaching about slavery to help make his ridiculous point.

This reminds me of Paul's warning to young Timothy. Paul said, " But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come." After providing Timothy with a list of the ungodly traits people will have in the last days, Paul ended his description saying, "holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power, and avoid such men as these" (2 Timothy 3:1-5 New American Standard Bible).

You see, the Bible teaches when we include sin into our lives, we exclude the power of God. And as this principle applies to individuals, it also applies to churches.

No matter what the (so-called) Rev. William Barnwell thinks, this is our bottom line:

The inclusion of sin, is the exclusion of God's power.

The choice is ours.