We have all, at one time or another, looked at membership in a special group. Quite often these groups have special requirements in order to be a member, the stiffer the requirements, the more we desire membership. At least this is the way I felt about it. I remember my college days, yes, for a while I was a Greek; later I became known as a GDI, but we won't go there now (those that know what that means know 'nuff said). As I remember, in order to be a member of the KON frat (Kappa Omega Nu) we had to learn a song, pay a stiff membership due (the equivalent of beer and pizza for two weeks), and subject ourselves to the ritual hazing (there were no anti-hazing laws back then), oh 'yes, had to purchase the wood and carve my own paddle!
I have been a member of several 'organizations' before and after my short run with the 'frats' (need to be careful with the spelling there). I have been a 4-H member (Gold Pin Rank), Boy Scouts of America (2nd Class as a Youth and Wood Badge as an Adult), was a member of the IBEW while I did my short stint at Boeing, and ,oh yes, I became a member of the Whitewater Masonic Lodge. Each of these organizations required you to do specific things in order to become a member, and maintain membership. Some were exclusive to those specific organizations (Masonic Lodge and IBEW), all required you to learn something and pay dues. I can honestly say I did learn something from each organization, some helpful, others questionable. But are these exclusive enough that I have wanted to maintain my membership in them, no.
There is another exclusive club that I belong to that I have maintained my membership in, and am very glad I have. This organization does not require you to learn a 'secret hand shake' like a couple of the above organizations, or to pay heavy dues like others, wear funny clothes, or be completely secretive about your activities. In fact, it is so out in the open, that it is the model of openness to the world. I'm talking about my belief in Christ as my Savior, and membership in the Family of God.
Basic membership requirements are deceptively small and simple; Belief, Acceptance, Confession. Those three steps are all it takes to be a member of this exclusive organization of the Family of God. "That's all" you ask? Yes that's all.
"Belief in what?" is the first question we are all asked. Belief that Jesus is who He says He is:
28 Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?" 29 Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent." (John 6:28-29, 40 NIV)
Jesus says that He is Gods Son, that He came into the world so that we do not have to be separated from a Holy and Perfect God because of our sinful nature.
16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only. (John 3:16 -18 NIV)
Yes, we do have to accept the fact that we humans are not perfect, if you have been alive for any length of years you can attest to the fact that no matter how hard you try, you are better at making a mess of life than you are at living a good life. So that shouldn't be a problem.
16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17 Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. (Matt 16:16-19 NIV)
37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" 38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off–for all whom the Lord our God will call." (Acts 2: 37-39 NIV)
"What's this confession stuff? Confess what?" Confess that you are human, therefore you fall short of being perfect (we've discussed this above) and need help getting right with the Father in heaven.
8 But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming:9 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. (Romans 10:8-10 NIV)
42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead.43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name." (Acts 10: 42-43 NIV)
There you have it, all laid out nice and pretty. To be a part of this organization, you don't have to learn a secret handshake, be hazed, be sworn to secrecy or anything like that. What do you get out of it? Knowledge that even though you are not perfect, you are forgiven, that you are part of a Family that has a bright future.
2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. 3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. 6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:2-6 NIV)
Baruch HaShem
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