From the time I was a teenager I have heard the term “good and regular standing” in church, but have yet to find a concrete definition of this term. In fact, the definition and interpretation of the phrase seems to change from person to person - preacher to preacher - church to church. The definition varies from someone who attends regularly and participates in the ministries of the church to someone who consistently gives financially and is “living right”. In all honesty, I believe that the definition changes as needed to serve a particular purpose. In any case, it got me to thinking about who is considered to be in “good and regular standing” in the Church of Jesus Christ - body of all believers in Him, and what must one do to stay in that position.
Romans 10:8-10 gives us the requirements for membership into the body of Christ which is salvation: “The message is very close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart.” And that message is the very message about faith that we preach: If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. This is the scripture that helps lead us to salvation. We pray a prayer that includes this instruction, and ask God to forgive us of our sin. I heard a great theologian whom I respect put it like this: God if you are who you say you are, reveal yourself to me - I want to know truth.
I believe that Galatians 6 gives us great instruction on how to stay in “good and regular standing” Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important. Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. For we are each responsible for our own conduct. Those who are taught the word of God should provide for their teachers, sharing all good things with them. Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.
If you have not accepted Christ into your heart, and have not acknowledged Him as your personal Savior by his death on the cross and resurrection from the grave - then I invite you to do so today. Even if you feel like you have no faith, ask God to reveal Himself to you and He is faithful to do it. It only takes faith the size of a mustard seed (which is minuscule) in order to believe. It will be the single most important thing you will ever do in your life. He offers hope, joy, unconditional love, mercy and grace. Accept Him today and find your rest.....
We must stay on the narrow road - doing what God instructs us to do through His word. We have to stop being slaves to the law of a particular church and become free in keeping with the law of God’s command. You cannot stay in “good and regular standing” in the body of Christ without the help of the Lord. Ask God to help you, to keep from falling. Ask Him to point you toward Him and away form sin which separates us from Him. And when you do fall into sin, repent - turn from that which is evil to that which is good. Only God himself, through His son Jesus Christ, in fellowship with the Holy Spirit can keep us in “good and regular standing”.
Be blessed......
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