The news each week shows that many of those who call themselves God’s people have lost the way, if they ever knew it in the first place. The argument is over who shall be part of the church no matter their orientation to God and their spiritual condition.

First, the church isn’t a social organization, though it is instructed to practice social behavior called good works: [Gal 6:10] As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.  One of the revealing parts of the verse is the words household of faith. It indicates those who have a common bond. Paul refers to those in Ephesians 3:15 as family being so named in Jesus Christ. But this isn’t just any household or family; it is the redeemed, the saved who have obeyed the Gospel of Christ.

There is a very definite requirement for becoming a member of God’s family, the church. The words of Paul are most important to the understanding of how one becomes a child of God and thus becomes a member of the family. The verses to be cited are Paul’s response to the feud between the Jews and Gentiles in the Galatian church concerning the law and faith. He wrote: [Gal 3:26] For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. [Gal 3:27] For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. One becomes God’s child by faith in Jesus Christ through putting on Christ in baptism, and as such becomes a member of God’s family, the church.

Can anyone become a member of God’s family? The answer is yes and no both. Those who renounce the old way of life shown at baptism are in the family of God in good standing. Paul wrote: [Rom 6:4] Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.  The two words should walk mean that it is a necessity and an imperative that the new one in Christ change his or her behavior to conform to the new belief. [2 Cor 5:17] Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. Such change isn’t optional or at his or her convenience or at the whim of the new family member. Those who do not change can’t be members who are pleasing to God, and therefore aren’t members of the family in good standing.

In the world today there are all kinds of beliefs and doctrines that are proclaimed as the way to God. The question becomes: How can all the diverse doctrines be true? The answer is that they can’t be no matter how much anyone protests that God recognizes everyone regardless of what one does or believes. They may be members of a church but said church isn’t necessarily part of God’s family. Paul told the Thessalonians after telling them about the lies of Satan: [2 Th 2:10] And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. [2 Th 2:11] And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: [2 Th 2:12] That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. Those who pick and choose the teachings that suit their doctrines and ideas are not only placing themselves in peril, but those who follow their teaching.

Paul wrote: [1 Cor 1:18] For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. [1 Cor 1:19] For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.  Those who believe themselves wise and who teach doctrines contrary to God will be destroyed. Now go back and read the words of Christ in the first paragraph. Make sure you, good reader, are one of the few and that you will make a conscious effort to teach the truth to others.

© 06-15-2006 DEC

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