Whether we wish to admit it or not . . .

Whether we wish to admit it or not, the moment we profess Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior—that is, from the time we first become a Christian—we also become a member of the Church.  Even if we never officially join a congregation, even if we refuse to identify with a particular denomination, even if we sit at home on Sunday mornings instead of attending worship, we are still a member of the Church.  Putting it another way:  Membership in the Church is not an option; it is a basic spiritual fact for those who profess Christ as Lord.

The reason for this is because God never makes private, secret salvation deals with individual people.  To be sure, God’s relationships with us are personal—even intimate—but never private.  When we become Christians, we are automatically connected to brothers and sisters in faith.  No Christian is ever an only child!

Of course, just because we are a family doesn’t mean that we are always one big happy family.  Let’s face it; siblings tend to squabble.  The very first story concerning siblings in the Bible is the story of Cain and Abel—and it’s a murder story!  Moreover, their fight was religious in nature; they were quarreling over which one of them God loved the best.  The story of Jacob and Esau comes a few chapters later, but it, too, is the story of two brothers who can’t seem to get along.  The story of Joseph and his brothers doesn’t fare any better.  Even Jesus was misunderstood by the members of his own family.

So it shouldn’t be surprising that, in the Church, we are not always going to be friendly, or for that matter, even nice to one another.  You don’t stop being a sinner the moment you start believing in Christ.  Professing one’s faith doesn’t suddenly transform a person into a more engaging conversationalist, or a more enjoyable companion, or a more inspirational figure.  Some Christians are cranky, others are contentious, and still others (if the truth be told) are downright rude.  But at the same time, the Lord insists that such people are still our brothers and sisters.

I believe the key to living and serving together in a Christian community is to recognize that the Church is not a club.  In a club, the members decide who can or cannot join.  However, in the Church, it’s not the members who decide who’s in or out.  Jesus Christ is the One who makes that call.  As he told his disciples, “You did not choose me; I chose you!”