It’s that time of year of waning light, and Christians get discouraged for multitudes of reasons: not enough sunlight, poor election results, wickedness accessible on all screens, idolatry of the general culture, rampant sexual immorality blasted in every medium, failing statesmen on all levels of government, holiday debt, kids just aren’t soaking in the discipline routines, conservatives are really Democrats in “go slower” hoodies, etc. We feel bleak, and that carries over into our estimation of Christ’s kingdom and the Great Commission: things look bleak (which is called “living by sight, not by faith.”).

So here’s a great quote to help you live by faith!

“It is often casually said that we live in post-Christian times. I believe that statement to be false. Theologically, the term ‘post-Christian’ makes no sense. Christ is the Alpha and the Omega, and all the letters in between. He carries constitutionally the freshness of morning dew. Christianity is of the dawn. If, at times, during given periods, we feel enshrouded by twilight, it is because another day is in the making.” — Erik Varden, “Towards Dawn”

Wow! Now that’s inspirational, because it is TRUE! If in the fullness of time all things were and are united in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:10), what are we doing moping? As Varden points out, Jesus always “is” in His reign and action and love and kingdom. We live in the “regeneration,” the new world order, where Christ sits on his glorious throne, and we are ruling with Him (Matthew 19:28).

But Jesus isn’t just sitting there! No, he’s moving the heavenly Jerusalem to imprint itself upon the earth. He is making all things new, each and every day.

Meditate on that this season, and rejoice that Jesus “is” the daily dawn!

“So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ…shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly…not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock… Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another…” (1 Peter 5.1-5).

Church membership really is an exercise in humility and like-mindedness.

For the elders (elder means “old guy” in both Hebrew and Greek), they have to humbly accept the sheep that God gives them, and willingly exercise oversight over those sheep; not under compulsion but as a gift, the gift of eternal souls being shepherded unto eternal life. Peter says they can’t bully the sheep into heaven, but that the elders have to be examples to the sheep. In humility they can’t push them away, but have to consider that they, too, are sheep, and must shepherd as they would want to be shepherded. That’s like-mindedness for those under your care. Peter makes it also clear the shepherding is to be done eagerly unto Christ, as it is God’s flock, without any “fleecing” of the sheep for shameful gain. Those in authority often use their power to ascribe further power or possessions for themselves; but Peter says “no” to such malarkey. The “gain” is to the sheep.

For the members, who are younger than the “old guys,” they are told to be subject to the old guys, clothing themselves with humility. So “might is not right” for youth with respect to subjection to the leaders; but a refusal to use that youthfulness and strength while listening and following the wisdom of those who have traveled the paths ahead many times over. The youth learn from the old guys how to navigate the future with holiness, watching and following their example.

People often ask, “Is there a compelling reason for church membership presented in the Bible?” Of course there is!

In the book of Numbers, God knows exactly who his sheep are, because he counts them twice: once after the Red Sea, and then just before entering the Holy Land, after the older, rebellious generation has died off. He knows who He is responsible for, and they know who to obey.

Same thing after the exile: 1 Chronicles, Ezra, and Nehemiah all have lists of those who came back.

Jesus also says that he knows his sheep, and that they know his voice. Since he appoints men in the church to lead his church and keep the keys of the kingdom

in Matthew 16, it only makes sense that they also are to know who they are responsible for, and for those cared for to know the voices of their leaders.

Hebrews 13:17 provides the clearest compelling argument for membership in a local congregation: “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account…” The individuals have to know the names of the men who rule over them, as one cannot obey a nebulous or undefined leadership. Likewise, a body of elders cannot render an account to God for an undefined membership either!

So this verse (see also Hebrews 13:7 and 1 Peter 5:1–5) requires two lists of names—a list of the elders and a list of the members! We’re not talking about some impressionist painting of fuzzy sheep and shepherds on a distant hillside while working with smudgy brushes!