For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (NIV)

You've heard it said, “membership has its privileges.” I'd like to think of myself as someone who doesn't feel deserving of those privileges.

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I'd like to think of myself like that, but...

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The truth is I'm guilty. I confess that I do enjoy the self-important feeling of being a member of a privileged group. Business Marketers are very good at exploiting my weakness. Ironically, earthly memberships focus on exclusiveness. Whether it be membership in an Airline Mileage plan, AAA, a Rental Car Preferred customer, or even an Unlimited Member at the local car wash, membership generates feelings of superiority to exercise the privileges such memberships bestow.

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As if that's not bad enough, there is a catch (there's always a catch). The catch: memberships are further divided into levels. These levels further divide and alienate members of the same membership. The higher the level to which you belong, the greater the privileges, the more self-worth to which you feel entitled. No longer is a Silver membership enough. I long for that Gold, Platinum, or even Platinum Gold level. If I'm honest, I always want more. Yes, marketers are very good at exploiting this, but it's not their fault. It's mine.

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Can you imagine if God ran His membership program this way?

Thank the Lord that He knows my weakness and doesn't strive to exploit it. In fact, God runs his membership program in the most diametrically opposed manner possible. Instead of being exclusive, membership in God's Kingdom is inclusive. God admits everyone with the simple requirement to declare Jesus Christ as your Savior (John 3:16, 3:36, Rom. 10:9). How can we know this? Let's look at the evidence.

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Starting in the first book of the Bible, God makes it clear He wants everyone to be a member by promising Abraham, “...all peoples on earth will be blessed through you” (Gen. 12:3).

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God is long-suffering, through grace, giving everyone repeated opportunities to repent, as told by a rebellious sailing seafarer: “... I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity” (Jonah 4:2).

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God continues revealing His character by proclaiming to the Prophet Isaiah, “I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth” (Isa. 49:6).

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Through His Son, God reached out to all types of people. To name a few: a Samaritan Woman (John 4), a Roman Centurion (Matt. 8:5-13), a Canaanite Woman (Matt. 15:21-28), a rich man (Matt. 19:16-28), and a sick woman (Mark 5:25-34). There are many more examples.

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During the Pentecost, God spoke to many nations in their own tongue so that they became believers and received the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:5-12).

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In Acts 8:26-40, God sends the Apostle Philip to preach the Gospel to a man from Ethiopia.

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Acts 10 is a beautiful story of how God both used and taught the Apostle Peter that salvation is for everyone: Jew or Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised.

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In parallel with today's reading, Galatians 3:28 affirms that the Lord looks at all equally, when Paul writes, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

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In the last book of the Bible, the Apostle John foresees “a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language” worshiping our Lord (Rev. 7:9).

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From Genesis to Revelation, the evidence is overwhelming. All are welcome to membership in God's Kingdom in which all enjoy the same privileges. There is only one level of membership: the Unlimited Preferred Gold Platinum Diamond (etc.) Level. The highest level of highs, the best level of bests. We are all equals in His sight. Just believe that Jesus Christ is your Savior.

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Do that, and you’re in.

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Membership has its privileges.

How much better, Lord, that You, not me, runs your membership program. Thank you for offering membership in Your eternal Kingdom to everyone. Your grace and mercy has no limit. I accept. In Jesus Christ, I confess my faith, Amen.