Topic(s): Church, Unity

“Don’t leave home without it!” Your trusty plastic charge card is indispensable, to hear the company tell it. You can do anything from taking your wife to lunch to vacationing in a foreign country. If you lose your card and/or cash, you can get a new card and a cash advance right away—your vacation won’t be interrupted, and you won’t be stuck out in the middle of nowhere. Yes, membership has its privileges!

Membership in the Lord’s church has infinitely greater privileges than those offered by the credit card company. The church is God’s family, and members have the privilege of calling upon Him in prayer as their Father (Matthew 6:9). They have the privilege of worshipping Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24). Wherever they go in the world, they carry the assurance of salvation with them (Hebrews 10:22). And should they become lost, they can confess their error to God with a repentant heart, confident that He will lovingly forgive them and restore them to His favor (1 John 1:6-10).

Does this sound inviting to you? Here’s how you apply: Learn the Bible, which is the Word of God, until you develop a sincere, confident trust in Jesus Christ as the Son of God; that’s faith (Romans 10:17; John 8:24). Then let that faith motivate you to determine in your heart to turn away from sin; that’s repentance (Acts 3:19). Next, state your belief that Jesus is the Son of God; that’s confession (Romans 10:9-10). Finally, be immersed in water in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; that’s baptism (Acts 2:38). If you meet these conditions, you will not be turned down! The Lord will add you to His church (Acts 2:47).

By the way, no one will run a credit check on you, and you will not receive a monthly bill. All who apply for membership are hopelessly in debt. That’s why they want membership— because Jesus paid the penalty for them when He died on Calvary. Through Him, their debt of sin can be forgiven!

If you aren’t a member of Jesus’ church, become one today! “Membership has its privileges!”
—Joe Slater