"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life." - John 3:16
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven." - Matthew 7:21
"Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me." Matthew 25:34-37
"Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me." Matthew 25:40
We are all God's children, we are all members of the family as the Gospel of Matthew tells us. I read and hear all too often of those who are to be excluded from God's family and God's love.
Our God is a gracious God who loves His recalcitrant children, let us do the same.
• Bill McCord is retired pastor of First United Methodist Church.