Finding and Flourishing in Your Place in the ChurchSample

SALVATION AS A PREREQUISITE TO BEING A MEMBER OF THE KINGDOM

Nicodemus is an example of a man that is already part of what God is doing but is not yet a part of the Kingdom. He was a Jewish religious leader in the temple. Jesus said to him, “…Except a man be born again... (Joh. 3:3b)” and Mark 16:16 says, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved: but he that believeth not shall be damned.” Thus, you must believe in Jesus and be a born-again member of the Church to be saved.

No matter how religious a person who is not born again is, the individual cannot be part of the Kingdom.If anyone has not believed in Jesus and accepted Him as his Savior, the person cannot be born again. A person who is not born again cannot be part of the Church/Kingdom. This is the basic thing that we need to understand.

Therefore, there is a difference between attending church and being a member of the Church. The goodies of the Kingdom are for members only. A person that is not born again but comes to church needs to decide to become saved to qualify for these blessings. The basic mark of a genuine church is the agreement that Jesus is our Savior. If anyone agrees with, accepts, and submits to that, such will be a part of the Kingdom. Any congregation or individual that has contrary beliefs is not functioning as part of the Kingdom, and such cannot fulfill God's purpose effectively.

PRAYER: Lord, I thank You for my salvation. Thank You for loving me so much that You gave Your life for me. I am most grateful!