It would seem that when people find out some of my beliefs, they suddenly exhale a sigh of relief. Now that they know I’m one of “them”, they can safely talk about those “other people.”

“Ah! Voted for Bush, I see. Not one of those God-less Democrats.”

“Oh, good. You’re not Catholic. You know how those Catholics are.”

Furthermore, if I checked all five of Calvin’s boxes off, I could be in the Reformed club and share with my brethren what it is to be Reformed and how wonderful the Reformed faith is. But what if I don’t know for sure what I believe? I guess that leaves me on the outside looking in.

I have a secret to let on. I may have voted along conservative lines during this past election, but I don’t share Republicans’ disdain for those who voted for John Kerry. I may be a part of the Protestant church, but I don’t waste my time determining who is hell-bound and who isn’t. I don’t know how the Word of God resolves the tension between the free will of man and the sovereignty of God and I don’t think less of people who believe one way or another.

Since when did we start validating people based on what they believe? I don’t want to love those in “my club” and sneer at those on the outside. I want to minister to everyone God calls me to. Those who believe what I do. Those who don’t. The strong, the weak, the tempted, the proud.

I want to be a part of the church. The body of Christ. I don’t want to be a member of your club.