No Chicken Club for Me!

      Sometimes television commercials are just that - television commercials.  Some don't catch our attention as much as others do.  Some are sexually suggestive and downright offensive.  The ones that advertise prescription drugs are actually scary as they outline all the potential side effects.  Then there are commercials that tug at your heart strings when they try to connect sentimentality to their products.  And then some commercials are funny.  Every once in a while I come across an advertisement that is downright hilarious.
     Sonic's commercial about its chicken club sandwich makes me laugh every time I watch it.  The one guy wants to know how the other guy got into the "chicken" club.  Surely some of you have seen it.  Those two fellas have perfect timing ... at least it seems so when we are watching; but there's no telling how many times they do to get it just right.  At any rate to for one to think there (or even act like he thinks) there is a very real and very exclusive "chicken" club with its own password is very funny to me. 
     Sure - the commercial is advertising a sandwich.  But do you think the writers or producers could be throwing a jab at how exclusive our society can be sometimes?  Humans can be very insensitive to others at times.  We know that there are very exclusive clubs -- for only the rich  -- or for only those who live in a certain place -- or come from certain families -- etc.  Clubs like these deliberately leave people out, hence the term exclusive. 
    Some groups are formed for the sake of those interested in a particular hobby or subject.  They are not necessarily exclusive because anyone from any income bracket, or gender or race can be part of the group.  Anyone that is, who may interested in that particular thing -- such as a quilting or sewing club -- or a drama club or science club.  Anyone who has the same interest may join the group.    
     Isn't it nice to know that the church is not exclusive?  God "so loved the world."  (John 3:16) That means ALL of us.  Christ died for all of us.  His blood bought and built the church.  He promised His church would always stand -- His kingdom will never fall.  And it really is for everyone.  It doesn't matter who we are, where we live, what color we are, whether we can sew or not, or even how much money we have.  It only matters that we are willing to keep the commands of our Friend and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Everyone is invited.  Everyone is welcome and everyone is loved. 
     We should be careful.  I do not mean to take the church lately.  It really isn't a club.  The church, as it was meant to be, is not a man made organization; but a divine creation.  God was the architect and Christ was the builder.  Jesus purchased the church with His precious blood.  It isn't exclusive in any way.  If we are willing to study God's word and follow the commandments of Christ, then we are not left out.  Yet, God is the one who adds us to the church.  Man has nothing to do with it.  (Acts 2:47)
      We must believe that God is.  We must diligently seek the Father and His will.   (Hebrews 11:6)  We cannot be lazy about following our God.  The word diligently has nothing to do with being lazy.  If we would be a friend of Jesus, we must be willing to keep His commandments.  (John 15:14)
      We are so blessed because we have God's word!  He is such a merciful and providential God.  He has left us a way to know what the commandments of the Savior are.   II Timothy 2:15 tells us to “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”  (NKJV)  The King James Version says “Study to show thyself approved to God.”   The point is well-made: to be approved to God, we must know and understand His word.

        Many other passages point to the importance of keeping God’s word.  Proverbs 3: 5-6 – “Every word of God is pure:  He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.  Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.”   This a pretty strong warning, I know.  It shows how important the truth of the Bible is.  Many Christians all over the world value the word of God.   Psalms 119:89 says, “Forever O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven.”  

     In others words folks, God’s word is the only word that matters.  The Bible is our guidebook for life.  It stands forever.  It never goes out of date.  It is not exclusive in any way, we don’t need any secret password to be able to pick up God’s word and find His instructions for us.  All we have to do is be willing to study it …  and then follow it. 

     I’m so thankful that God’s love is not exclusive!!  How wonderful it is to know without a doubt that He is not willing that any should perish.  He has called us all to repentance.  (II Peter 3:9)  We don’t have to guess what to do to be pleasing to Christ and the Heavenly Father.  He didn’t keep the way to heaven a secret.  It is right there in the Bible for any to study, learn and put into practice.

     His word never changes.  It is the same for us today as it was for the New Testament church so long ago.  His promises never change either.  We will be rewarded if we truly seek Him. Several passages in the Word of God promise us just that. 
   For example, Lamentations 3: 25 says, "The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him."  Deuteronomy 4:29 tells us if we seek God we will find Him, if we search with all our and all our soul.  In Proverbs 8:17 God says, "I love those who love Me, and those who seek Me diligently find Me."  Finally, we have this beautiful assurance:  "And those who know Your name put their trust in You, for You, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you."  (Psalm 9:10)
     Jesus doesn't exclude anyone.  Spiritually, there is no secret club.  Are there things for us to do?  Most certainly!  The important thing to understand is that God's love isn't based on wealth, status, family or where we come from.  
     Simply put, coming to God is a matter of us returning His love - of what we are willing to do for Him.  God's love and forgiveness is not just for a few chosen folks-- but for ALL who are willing.          

   Christ urges us to be His friend and follow His commandments.  The passages quoted above tell us to seek God and search after Him will all our heart and soul.  We are to trust Him and keep His testimonies.  We are to love Him and wait for Him. 

      In doing these things, we will be greatly rewarded.  We will find Him.  God will bless us and we will not be forsaken!  We will gain His goodness and His love toward us. 

     One more scripture:  Romans 2:6-7: “He will render to each one according to His works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, He will give eternal life."

     I'm so glad we don't have to join some kind of "chicken club" to get to heaven, aren't you?  On the other hand, it sounds to me like seeking, finding and following God will surely be worth it all!

Christ above all things,

Robin