To unite with the church is to take one’s place among the followers of the Master. It is a public act. It is a confession of Christ before men. It is not a profession of superior saintliness; on the other hand, it is a distinct avowal of personal sinfulness and unworthiness. Those who seek admission into the church come as sinners, needing and accepting the mercy of God and depending upon the atonement of Christ for the forgiveness of their sins.
They come confessing Christ. They have heard his call, “Follow me,” and have responded. Uniting with the church is taking a place among the friends of Christ; it is coming out from the world to be on Christ’s side. There are but two parties among men. “He that is not with me is against me,” said Jesus. The church consists of those who are with Christ. This suggests one of the reasons why those who love Christ should take their place in the church. By so doing they declare to all the world where they stand and cast all the influence of their life and example on Christ’s side.
Secret discipleship fails at this point. However much we may love Christ, however intimate our fellowship with him may be, however sincere our friendship for him, he misses in us the outspoken loyalty of a true confession which proclaims his name in its every breath. Secret discipleship hides its light and fails to honor Christ before men.
Uniting with the church is a declaration that one has joined the company of Christ’s disciples. Disciples are learners. Young Christians have entered the school of Christ – have only entered it. They do not profess only to have attained perfection; they profess only to have begun the Christian life.
Jesus took his first disciples into his school and for three years taught and trained them. He made known to them the great truths of Christianity which he had come to reveal – truths about God, about his kingdom on the earth, about duty. Then he taught them how to live.
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