“After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb … crying out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!’” — Revelation 7:9-10 (NKJV)
by Matthew Crouch
As we take a day to honor the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who gave his life to the vision of equality and liberty for all people, it’s also a good time to remember that we serve a God of inclusion, a heavenly Father who delights in the diversity of the people He created to worship Him.
Of course, it’s no secret that world history — and even current events — overflow with a shameful record of hatred and oppression against people and groups solely because of their race, ethnicity, or some other distinction. But that’s not how God operates. In His kingdom of mercy and grace there are no second-class citizens, and no one who is undervalued, discounted, or denigrated. Through the blood of Jesus we are all members of “a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people” (1 Peter 2:9).
Sadly, over the years God’s own family has often been as guilty as anyone of harboring attitudes of exclusion and prejudice, as race, ethnicity, politics, and other issues have caused divisions and divides that have no place in the body of Christ. It’s as if, in our hustle and bustle to “do church,” we overlooked the apostle Paul’s admonition that we allow nothing to be done “through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself” (Philippians 2:3).
Thankfully, there have always been men and women in our midst who have contended for the unity of the Spirit that God requires of those who bear His Name. Over forty years ago, as my parents were launching TBN and blazing a trail for Christian television, they were adamant that there would be no racial, ethnic, or denominational obstacles hindering the preaching of the Gospel through this new and innovative network. All who passionately named the Name of Jesus and carried an uncompromising, biblical message of His grace and truth would always be welcome to share TBN’s airwaves. And throughout the decades, that commitment to inclusion is what has ensured the incredible richness and diversity that has defined TBN’s ministry and global outreach.
I am convinced that Paul and Jan Crouch’s determination to spread their tent-stakes wide and far is the reason that today TBN is declaring the Good News of Jesus Christ to every inhabited continent through nearly thirty round-the-clock networks in every major language. It is the reward of obedience.
I remember as a child in Sunday school singing a song that included the line:
“Red and yellow, black and white,
They are precious in His sight….”
That’s the vision Laurie and I — and all of TBN — have for the body of Christ. It’s a vision completely free of any barrier that would keep individuals, families, communities, and nations from fully experiencing the hope and grace that is freely available to them through Jesus Christ. It’s a vision of one massive multitude from every nation, tribe, and tongue — all worshipping the Lamb of God with one accord.
I think that’s a vision and goal that all of God’s people can rally around.