There are all kinds of members referred to in the New Testament. Some had lost their first love (Revelation 2:4-5). Others had become only lukewarm (3:14-19). Some had forsaken the assembling of themselves together (Hebrews 10:25). Others had gone all the way back and had fallen from grace (Galatians 5:1-4). Some never did return to the right way (John 6:66; I Peter 2). There are many other classifications of members in the New Testament. Then there are some modern groups each of which has quite a following. What kind of a member are you?
Are you a “oncer”—one who attends church services only once per week—on the Lord’s day morning? Such members enjoy good health, but they never come at night. Had they been at Troas, they would not have heard Paul preach until midnight, and would have missed the fine fellowship of the occasion, plus the witnessing of the miracle of raising a man from the dead there that night (Acts 20:7-14).
Some are church “tramps”—they go tramping from one congregation to another, worshiping here and there, so as to dodge any responsibility for doing anything in the church and having any part in any real program of work. They are often called“Church Drifters.” They never settle down so as to work and grow in the church (I Corinthians 16:13).
Others are simply “leaners”—they “lean” on the church in every time of illness, misfortune, and the like, but they never contribute to its work. They are out to “get” and not to “give.” They are like the Dead Sea which has no outlet. They have no life. They are like sponges—they take in all they can hold but you have to squeeze them to get anything out of them!
Some others are “specials”—they work for the church on some special occasions which happen to appeal to them. But the regular work of the Lord has no appeal unto them. The every-day matter of being Christians is to them a drab affair. When they are tuned up they work enthusiastically, but no one ever knows when they are going to get rubbed the wrong way about something. They are “supporters” of that part of the work of the church that they like, but they oppose the other good works being done by others.
But some are “pillars”—they are always dependable. Without them the church would be a laughingstock in the community. They stand ready at all times to do what they can for the glory of God. They are happy that they have been saved, and feel that if they had a thousand lives to live, they could not do all they would like to do for the wonderful Saviour who came, bled, and died, that they might be children of God and have the happiness which they enjoy in the Lord, every day, along the way.
What kind of member are you?—You need not try to deceive anyone by your answer, for the way you are living proclaims daily the kind of member you are! Maybe you need to change your ways, and move up in the church—up to higher ground ofChristian living. Many have changed who found themselves in a failing group, doing little or nothing for the church.
Gus Nichols