By Linda Tancs
Remember the popularity of Members Only® clothing in the 80s? It isn’t hard to imagine why. After all, who doesn’t like membership? Folks flock to membership in country clubs, interest groups and social media organizations. But belonging has its setbacks, especially when it’s used as a means to exclude others. Even the apostles fell prey to a “members only” mentality. In Mark’s gospel, he relates their disapproval of someone who is not a part of Jesus’s inner circle doing wonderful deeds in His name. But Jesus applauds the effort, showing an attitude of inclusion (Mark 9:38-40).
In Christ, “members only” takes on a different meaning. We are all members of His body (1 Corinthians 12:12-13). It’s the same membership, the same calling. No one member is greater than the others (Matthew 20:26). And the primary purpose of the membership is to serve Him by reaching out to others in love (Galatians 5:13). That’s a club worth joining.
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As part of FOOT FORWARD MINISTRIES, Go Forward in Faith represents faith-based meditations for personal and professional growth. Learn more at goforwardinfaith.com. Follow us on Twitter @moveonfaith and join the Facebook group @goforwardinfaith.
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