THE BENEFITS OF UNION MEMBERSHIP

By Dr. M. R. Dowler

Not far from the modern town of Selcuk, Turkey is the ruins of the ancient city of Ephesus. Government statistics report that Selcuk is Turkey’s most visited Christian tourist destination, and for good reason---Ephesus is a familiar name in the New Testament, specifically mentioned seventeen times. The Book of Ephesians is the Apostle Paul’s letter to the believers in this ancient city, written from his Roman prison cell some thirty years after the death of Christ.

Central to everyday life in ancient Ephesus was the Temple of Artemas, AKA the Temple of Diana (Acts 19:24, 27); one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Built upon a two-acre platform, the Temple of Diana was the largest Greek worship center, larger even than their famous Acropolis in Athens. As the center of religion, finance and culture in Ephesus; the temple was the city’s bank and source of a thriving industry of idol production and sale. So great was the power of idol worship that a labor union of idol producers rioted because so many Ephesians were converting to Christianity (Acts 19:23-41).

The Bible speaks of a union that every born-again believer belongs to, however this union does not involve labor, because salvation cannot be acquired through any kind of work (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5). This eternal connection, referred to 170 times as being “in Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 1:3-4) is facilitated through the life and death of the Savior (Galatians 2:20). Simply stated, Jesus’ life actually flows into our “inner man” by renewing our inner nature (2 Corinthians 4:16)

Theologically, this spiritual union is mysterious in nature (Colossians 1:26-27) and activated by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:13). We have peace (Philippians 4:7) and providence through our “in Christ” union relationship (Philippians 4:19). Everything we have or need in the Christian life comes through our union membership with Him. Although sadly there are disputes and disagreements between churches and believers over superficial issues, all true believers are brothers and sisters in a union that cannot be dissolved. Talk about union benefits. Wow! Think about it.