Does Your Church Membership Make You Better Than Others?

     After Christ returned to heaven and His disciples began their mission, they found it difficult ministering to the Gentiles.  The culture of the Jews lead them to avoid Gentiles since Gentiles were considered unclean.  Evidently, the Christian Jews in Rome thought of themselves as better than the Gentile Christians.  Paul asked the church in Rome, "What then, are we better than they?" (Romans 3:9)

     Does church members think this way today?  Are there church members who place themselves above others because of membership, church office, leadership role, or family?  Yes, I listed family because some are only there because of family tradition or charter membership.  I don't know of any church that offers "charter membership" but some think they have this special membership because their great grandfather helped build the church building.  By now, you may see where this is going.  Does family membership or your membership within a certain church, make you better than those without membership?  Paul's line of questions in Romans 3 verses 1 through 8 leads to this question in verse 9, "Are we better than they?"

     The first question in chapter 3 of Romans to the Jews, "What advantage then has the Jew? Or, what profit is there of circumcision?  Paul had already reached the conclusion concerning circumcision in chapter 2 verse 29, "circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the physical act."  The Jew's advantage is that 'unto them were committed the oracles of God.' (2)  Then, "what if some don't believe?  Shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?  God forbid: yes, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, 'That you might be justified in your sayings, and might overcome when you are judged.'" (3, 4) 

     So, are we better?  "No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin.  As it is written: 'There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understand, there is none that seeks after God.  They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that does good, no, not one.'" (9 - 12) (Paul is quoting Psalms 14:1-3)  Paul continues naming their sins in verses 13 through 18, deceitful liars with mouths full of cursing and bitterness, feet swift to shed blood and destruction, and they have no fear of God.  It is all summed up in verse 23, "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God."  In God's eyes, we are all sinners.  No, the Jews were not better than the Gentiles.  No, your church membership does not make you better than the person that comes off the street to sit beside you.

     God sent his son, Jesus Christ, for the Jew, the Gentile, church member, and non church member.  "Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference."   

     Dear Church Member, you are no different than anyone in your church or community.  You do have a responsibility.  You know the Word of God.  You have the scriptures and you should share the scriptures with others.  However, first, examine your heart.  Is the spirit of God in your heart?   Where is your faith?