Articles

What is the church? For many, the word church conjures up images of steepled buildings, stodgy services, and stuffy men in collars. It is an object of mistrust for others, full of cruel hypocrites. For some, it’s a hobby that some people enjoy to little consequence—“all so harmless, so gentle, so proper.”¹ For others still, it’s simply bizarre.

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Albert Mohler once stated, “The Christian pastor holds the greatest office of human responsibility in all creation.” Yet of all the high positions one can fill in society—a member of Congress, a golf professional, a cardiothoracic surgeon, etc.—the pastorate wouldn’t even make the top ten in most people’s minds. Is the designation “greatest office … in all creation” an apt description or hyperbole?

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The word cult describes a manipulative and dangerous religious group. Cults usually appeal to the dissatisfied, fearful, and vulnerable. They draw people into their scope by offering expectancy in a hopeless world, identity in an anonymous world, and security in an unstable world.

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When Titus was pastoring the church in Crete, he received these instructions from Paul about his congregation: “Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people” (Titus 3:1–2).

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If we are going to maintain a passion for purity, we need to determine to live our lives in the center of the narrow way and not on the edge.

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Growing up, many of us were told to avoid two topics in polite conversation: politics and religion. If we’re going to be successful in social situations, some say, then we ought to steer clear of these taboo subjects.

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In political debates, there is such a thing a “gotcha” question—something asked only to coerce the person being questioned into saying something that could potentially damage his or her reputation. The tactic isn’t new. In fact, it’s at least as old as the New Testament writings. In the Gospel of Mark, for example, we read of a group of religious and political leaders who approached Jesus and asked Him, “Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? Should we pay them, or should we not?” (12:14).

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Certain questions are crucial to the Christian faith: How does someone become a Christian? What do Christians believe? How should Christians behave? The Bible provides clear answers to each. But there’s another question, often overlooked, that’s equally crucial and to which the Bible gives sure guidance. It’s this: Where does a Christian belong? The question raises the issue of church membership.

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Not all who profess faith in Christ actually follow Him. Not all who give lip service to Christianity necessarily know its truth. Various warning passages (e.g., Heb. 2:1–4; 3:7–4:13; 1 John 2:19), along with Jesus’ own words in the Gospels (e.g., Matt. 7:23; 25:41; Luke 13:27), alert us to the possibility that we can appear to have a relationship with Jesus and even enjoy the fellowship of close Christian community without finding a home in heaven in the end.

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In the church’s mission to further the Gospel, Christians’ behavior plays an important role. Knowing this, Paul coached Titus to stress the ways his congregation should be ready to do good. Only the grace of a saving God changes immoral people into those who uphold the rule of the law, love peace, and consider others’ needs.

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