Is Being a Member of God’s Kingdom Outdated?
Maybe it’s just what we need
As a shepherd seeks out the flock when some in the flock have been scattered, so will I seek out my flock. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered during the time of clouds and thick darkness. (Ezekiel 34:12, CEB)
Religion and attending church are not as popular as when I was a kid. However, even though Covid-19 has caused church attendance to drop, we need to recognize that religion and faith are two totally different things.
The church is not a building but a people of faith and, as a result, may look different than what you see in church. One can be a member of a particular religion that meets every week in a building, but it does not mean they have a membership in God’s Kingdom, His community of sheep.
I hope that as religious attendance drops, God’s Kingdom grows.
In the scripture above, God spoke through Ezekiel to a scattered nation with a promise of rescue. It was a message of hope. People needed hope then, and people need hope today. Even though the message of Ezekiel is old, it is a new and refreshing word with a work of God’s ongoing processes applicable to us in our day and age.
God did not only speak to and through the ancient ones of the Bible, but today He speaks directly to us through the Holy Spirit. He moved my little heart when I was only five years old. This kind Shepherd sought, found, and signed me up to be a member of His kingdom. Just like in the days of Ezekiel, God is still rounding up His scattered sheep and bringing them into His haven.
As an older follower of Christ, my faith, devotion, and service, at times, may waiver, but I still choose to be a member of His flock, even if it seems old-fashioned.
Becoming a group of sheep who blindly follow a shepherd may seem strange. Jesus looks like a regular guy to the world, except for the rumor that He could do miracles. He was falsely accused and sentenced to crucifixion. Again, this was a common practice during that era, but nothing notable.
So should we seem foolish by following this man named Jesus, who claimed to be God’s Son?
Should we become a member, especially in this day of age of self-indulgence and self-exaltation?
Should we be naive by trusting an overused, overrated, and abused message from such an old book as the Bible?
I emphatically say, “Yes!”
Many years of trusting Christ, trying His word, and proving His promises have given me a case supporting membership in God’s Kingdom. I’m in the club arena, not as a spectator, but as a participant in the race of life. In Paul’s letter to the Corinthian church, he says:
Don’t you know that all the runners in the stadium run, but only one gets the prize? So run to win. (1 Corinthians 9:24, CEB)
In my opinion, anyone who decides to run has already won awards. Such as:
- Christ lifts the burden of guilt and shame through His forgiveness.
- Jesus loves us unconditionally and shows us mercy and compassion.
- He brings light to our path to navigate this difficult life.
- He strengthens, protects, and remains faithful when all else fails.
Many of the prizes for joining are summarized in this scripture.
But we have this treasure in clay pots so that the awesome power belongs to God and doesn’t come from us. We are experiencing all kinds of trouble, but we aren’t crushed. We are confused, but we aren’t depressed. We are harassed, but we aren’t abandoned. We are knocked down, but we aren’t knocked out. (2 Corinthians 4:7–9, CEB)
Wow! Members experience all the ugly things that other people do, but they are not crushed.
Membership requires no dues, tests, rites, or hazing. We don’t need fancy clothes, eloquent speech, or prestigious status. We can come just as we are. Jesus is already knocking at the door of your soul, and He is waiting with open arms.
Won’t you let Him in?
Now, more than ever, belonging to His Kingdom is not old-fashioned. Some may view members as gullible and ignorant. However, the need for security during these days of political upheaval, deadly viruses, religious scandals, wars and rumors of war, bad economy, and natural disasters is more significant than ever.
We live, just like Ezekiel, in a “time of clouds and thick darkness.” I say that relying on God’s infinite wisdom as a member of His Kingdom is hope and stability. That’s not bad–in fact–it’s excellent!
