The Church and its Membership
Not everything that is aimed at is hit. This is true of more than guns and targets. I once listened to some Japanese Christians trying to sing a hymn in four parts. They can see from the printed music that one note is higher or lower than the one they have been singing, but just how much they are not sure, for the Japanese musical system is entirely different from ours. It is a matter of chance whether or not they hit the right interval. More often than not, they plunge in the general direction of the printed note with results that are fearful and wonderful to our western ears.
God looks upon the heart and is able to hear harmonics from the yielded spirit, though the voices may not follow any of the accepted rules of music. Those who teach others to sing can carry a tune and sing in harmony, but the road to the teaching of others is hard on the ears. The teachers must never drop the true standard of music for themselves or for their teaching. They must, however, have an infinite patience with those they teach, some of whom will never satisfy outward rules but will, nevertheless, make melody in their hearts to the Lord.
All of this is just as true for Bible teaching as it is for music training. Those of us who are engaged in Christian work must keep the clear sound of truth in our souls and before the minds of our hearers, but we must expect discords of truth among those who are growing in the truth. Not all believers can see truth quickly. Some remain babes in Christ for many years—in fact, through all of their earthly life span. This is why the churches are told that those who are weak in the faith are to be received into membership (Rom. 14:1). The Holy Spirit says that minor points are not to be erected as standards for church membership, and the questions on matters such as diet and the keeping of the Sabbath were eliminated by God as matters which must be settled by each individual. Some on both sides of these questions may think they have the mind of the Spirit, but their opinion is not to be forced on those who hold another honest, spiritual opinion. The Scripture is very definite on these matters.
There were no probation classes in the New Testament. Men who had never heard the Gospel before believed it, and were baptized within a few moments. Responsibility for individual growth rests squarely upon the individual.
The one thing about which Christians need be concerned is the confession of a true and saving faith in the Person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. Of these matters there can be no compromise. When the serpent was lifted on the pole in the wilderness, those who looked from afar were healed the same as those who had a nearer and clearer view of the serpent lifted up. It was belief in God's Word, and acting upon the commandment to look which brought healing. It is precisely that which brings salvation - looking away from everything that is in self, and looking to the Lord Jesus Christ alone.
In other words, a reasonable belief that an individual has looked to Christ in personal faith is all that the church can demand of those who come seeking membership. This fact doubles the responsibility of the ministers and leaders of every church. The teaching must be definite, sound, and constructive if those who have become weak in the faith are to be strengthened. If this is not the case, the churches will be filled with those who have had the faraway look of true faith, but who have never found within the church that which will bring true growth in Christ.
1. What role does the church play in the growth and sanctification of the believer?
2. Is being in the church the evidence of a growing faith? Why or Why not?
