Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? —unless indeed you fail to meet the test! I hope you will find out that we have not failed the test. But we pray to God that you may not do wrong—not that we may appear to have met the test, but that you may do what is right, though we may seem to have failed. For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. Your restoration is what we pray for.
- II Corinthians 13:5-9
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
- Philippians 2:12-13
This examination is both fearful and joyous. As the undershepherd of GFBC and your friend, I am both commanded and compelled to lead you in this venture. I realize that for some the first response is uneasiness: “I’d rather not do this”. I understand this apprehension. It is the same anxiety that causes me to put off calling the doctor or dentist. I would simply rather not deal with the possibility of less than acceptable results from all that “probing”. But I come to you in love with the hope of either confirming your relationship in Christ or seeing that relationship established by Him.
“If the Bible is the cornerstone of our church, then membership is the cement that holds us all together” – Mark Dever. Both Christ and Paul pointed us toward membership for our encouragement, our protection, and our instruction. We seek to carry out this vision through our four-step process by which to join Grace Fellowship Baptist Church.
