Who would you exclude from the Gospel?

During an InterVarsity evangelism seminar, a speaker once asked, "Who would you exclude from the Gospel?" My initial response was, "No one! I mean, sharing the Gospel is part of my job description as an IV staff worker, right?!" Well, recently, the Lord opened my eyes and helped me see that while I've been pouring my heart into ministry with college students, I've neglected to see the spiritual needs of my own family.

I was visiting with my 90 year old uncle last week, and out of nowhere he asked the question, "How does a person know when they have religion?" I proceeded to try to explain to him the difference between religion and a relationship with Jesus. I explained how God isn't looking for perfect people, but for those who are humble enough to admit that we don't have it all together and need Jesus' help. He said he had never heard it explained like that before, and how he felt ignorant to the bible. I was able to go through a short scripture passage with him right then, and asked if he would be interested in studying scripture with me on a regular basis. He said he would like that very much!

I went out and got him a large print NIV bible, and tonight we looked at Mark 2:13-17 (The Calling of Levi). We spent about an hour together, and he asked some really great questions. I left at around 6:30pm to go to bible study at my church, and when I went back by his house at 9pm, he was STILL reading the bible I had given him! I am amazed by how God constantly pursues relationship with us.

The Lord used my uncle to show me how I had compartmentalized my role as a minister of the Gospel to just my campus contexts, when in actuality, God calls us to bear witness to the truth of who He is no matter where we are or with whom we're speaking! It really is a matter of asking, "Who would you exclude from the Gospel?"...