Are you saved?
How many times have you heard that one?
People throw that around as if it’s a badge of honor. Or, maybe proof that they are special. I don’t know…
In any case, that question is often offensive. But worse than that it demonstrates an incorrect understanding of salvation. Yes, justification (and salvation) comes by faith. But, salvation is not a singular event. And no, God doesn’t take away His salvation. But we can walk away from it…by our apathy we can even idly drift away from it.
But this is salvation in the American Express Church.
We live in a society where “membership has its privileges.” And we want to preserve those privileges. So, we have special clubs and prestigious organizations where the thrill is to be “one of the few.” No one wants to be part of a club where everyone is allowed to enter. Rather, we look for something exclusive.
It’s the same with the Church. We want the privileges of membership within the Church as well. And we want to belong to a Church that is exclusive. So, we check each others’ salvation like it was a membership card. If you don’t have one, you can’t really come in.
This can’t be salvation…can it?
If this is salvation, then membership in the club – I mean, the Church – is all it takes. And, if membership is all it takes then all one needs to do is join the Church. Is grace that cheap? What is the real Cost of Discipleship?
Membership is not enough for salvation. It does take more than showing up on Sunday. Your journey doesn’t end when you “gave your life to Christ.” I don’t want you to end your journey too early and never reach the final destination. So hear me out…
