This title “OUTSIDERS ARE MADE INSIDERS” isn’t meant to hook your attention. It is meant to frame your mind around the truth in that statement.

So let’s start here: What is considered an “outsider”? And what is considered an “insider”?

An outsider is someone we consider to be outside of our circle — outside of relationship, trust, community, access, consideration, or belonging. An insider is someone we have allowed close.

But here’s where I want to challenge the concept. Who made the distinction? And perhaps more importantly: who have you personally made an outsider?

Sometimes we don’t have to say it out loud. We make people outsiders in our hearts. They hurt us, betrayed us, disappointed us, offended us, abandoned us, or did something we believe they should never be forgiven for. So we move them. We place them outside the boundaries of our compassion, outside our prayers, outside our willingness to show grace. And sometimes we convince ourselves that this is justified because they hurt us.

But what happens when we examine this through the lens of Scripture?

Ephesians 2 describes people who were once “far away” from God being brought near through Christ. Those who were strangers and foreigners became fellow citizens and members of God’s household.

The outsider was brought inside.

To my sisters in Messianic communities, in Israel, in the........

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