Church Membership

Making confession is a serious matter. Let no one consider it a small matter. Alas, many do so in a thoughtless manner, and the consequence of this often shows itself. The preaching of Christ crucified is “unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; but unto them which are called,” let us emphasize this latter especially, “both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God” (1 Corinthians 1:23-24).

In the time of the prophets there was likewise opposition against that which they preached. They said, “Speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits” (Isaiah 30:10). Micaiah was put in prison because he prophesied nothing but evil regarding Ahab (2 Chronicles 18). And Isaiah had to cry out, “Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?” (Isaiah 53:1). Jeremiah also came into prison.

And when Christ, the great Prophet and Teacher of righteousness, walked upon this earth and preached everywhere, it was said, “This is an hard saying; who can hear it?” (John 6:60). What opposition the apostles also experienced when they brought forth that which they had heard with their ears, had seen with their eyes, and had handled with their hands of the Word of life!

The doctrine of free grace has never had many supporters. It is a doctrine, as the apostle has rightly written, not after man (Galatians 1:11). Now in the visible church there is naturally a great variety of people, and therefore the sitting under the truth is also very diverse. Alas, there are at all times people sitting in the church under the sound truth who are never touched by it, not even in their conscience.

There are people who concur with the truth with a historical faith. There are also those who because of upbringing and conscience are so convinced in their mind and conscience, that, although unconverted, they never desire to hear anything other than the pure sound of law and gospel. It is to be desired that it would go further, for nothing is more necessary than that our hearts be opened for the truth by the Holy Spirit. On the other hand, with such members the consistory has no problems. They are people who bow under the truth. Oh, may they yet bow before God and remain lying there until God raises them up from the dust.

There are also those who have been brought low by God; they are hungry ones, for whom all the bitter is sweet. Also they do not have to be addressed to call them to order. And souls who have been cut off from themselves, who have become lost, who have been enabled to find their safety and salvation in Christ Jesus, who through the truth and through Christ have been brought into liberty and have been saved by grace, such do not desire to hear anything other than Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

Oh, certainly, God’s people are here never perfect in themselves. They remain people full of faults, and although converted by God, they can still do foolish things. However, such people must and may by times return back. With Samson this took place on the last day of his life. God’s loving eye is upon His people. In their heart the way has been laid, and it is their desire to walk in the ways which the Lord has revealed in His Word. It is the sigh of their soul, “O that my ways were directed to keep Thy statutes!” (Psalm 119:5).

There are also those in church who belong to the generation of those who formerly lived in the days of Paul in the city of Athens. They spend their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing (Acts 17:21). They are people who wander about in order to satisfy their curiosity. There is no malicious intent in this, and not even the slightest thought of renouncing their confession. They are not aware of any evil, nor do they feel any accusation of it in their conscience. They must be a member somewhere, especially in respect to the baptism of their children, but they can see no wrong in going to listen here and there. David prayed, “Order my steps in Thy Word.” That prayer is also necessary for the order of the church, so that we are not tossed to and fro, carried about with every wind of doctrine, causing confusion in our families.

There are also people in church who live with criticisms and remarks. Their ears are always alert and their eyes always open for whether or not there is something wrong according to their opinion. They condemn everyone and everything except themselves. Oh, what a sad activity! There will always be criticisms and remarks, and when these come forth out of love for the truth and for mutual edification, they can even be beneficial. Let none consider himself to be perfect; however, this so often comes forth from wrong principles. And then it is nothing else than a devilish activity, serving to the ruin of others, but also to incalculable damage to one’s own soul. Such persons never go up to God’s house with a praying heart, asking the Lord if it may please Him to look down upon them, and that there might be something in the reading, praying, and preaching for their poor soul. We can better pity such people than envy them.

God is a God of order, and not of disorder. It is sometimes said, “We will not be asked at the gate of heaven which church we attended, but whether we have been reconciled through the blood of the cross and whether we are living members of the true church.” This will be true for each individual, but much caution is necessary here, for many good expressions are misused and are used to cover a disorderly life. There are so many of these expressions and sayings which are taken out of context and which were not intended to be used as they are presently. A person is often inclined to justify himself and to talk right what is not right. Man is such a miserable object! Our “heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9).

God binds us to the means, although He sovereignly stands above it all. Also in church life there is an order. When we through public confession bind ourselves to a church, then we place ourselves captive under the truth, but we also confess before God and man that we desire to walk according to the order of the church, as it has been established by our godly forefathers on the basis of the infallible Word of God. To despise this in the practice of our lives is a sad revelation. God’s Word admonishes us not to have fellowship with those who walk disorderly. It too often appears that many use God’s Word as they use an elastic stocking, which fits all sizes. Oh, would we but stand up more for the judgments of God’s testimony, but, alas, we are so unfaithful and often so backward in dealing with our neighbors. We are often afraid of a frown, but we would have many more enemies if the honor of God were more bound upon our hearts. Literally, we have guilt in all things.

When God savingly converts a person, then he begins to hate and flee from sin, but he also receives a desire and love to walk in the ways ordained by God. Then it is his desire to walk according to the law of God, and he meditates upon that law day and night.

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