Belong To Become
We are told, "When you meet our requirements, you can join." Get the diploma, certification, license, ordination. Take our class and attest to what we believe. If we succeed and are admitted, we soon learn that the qualifying process was mostly a test of determination. The real learning takes place on the inside, through observation, asking questions, practice, making mistakes, and building on successes. It's how we learn a new culture. It's how we are formed in the way of Jesus.
Israel was a called-out people before they received the Law and learned God's ways. Jesus's disciples were invited, then trained. The Gentiles were included before they understood.
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. —Paul
God doesn't wait for us to clean up our act before reconciling us to himself. To the weak, the weary and burdened, the lost, the hungry and thirsty, the desperate, he says, "Friends, come." The expectation is that we will come as we are, set our eyes and affections on Jesus, and grow into a people who bear God's name, his reputation, with fidelity.
We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete. —John
“Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters." —Jesus
These formed and still-forming people participate in God's recruitment project, welcoming others on the same journey: "Friends, come participate with us as we participate with the Father and the Son. We will grow together."