ASSOCIATION VERSUS SALVATION

That you are associated with Jesus does not mean you are saved. Any time they talk about the two thieves on the cross they associate them with Jesus, for example: “And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left” (Mark 15:27)...But one still went to Hell. It thus means that Heaven is not by association, it is by salvation. Your association with Church and your membership in all the Church associations including ‘Good Women Association’, ‘Men Association’ etc, without salvation is express way to hell.

Where do you belong; do you have salvation or you have thrived on association? Association will put your name in the Church register but salvation will pen your name in God’s register, which is the book of life. Association will/can take you far but the farthest it can take you is to the judgement seat...but salvation will take you beyond the judgement seat, away from Hell, into Heaven.

Many have been associated with the Church from childhood, children church and choir, and gradually they spilled over into the adult Church and by association with the things of God they become established in the church. Some of them even rise and become music directors, elders, etc, but remember they are thriving on association, they do not have salvation...when they have to, they still lie, drink, womanize, etc. And eventually when the enemy comes with his antics and “storms” these people have no anchor to hold onto, so they are easily uprooted and sail away with the tides of worldly pleasure and its passions. The truth is that the devil knows the difference between association and salvation...he respects the latter but knows that the former is just in the letter.

No matter how long association thrives it cannot become salvation. Some had been in association with God, His church and the things of God for many years, but until they discovered they were never saved and made the decisions to surrender their lives to God and become born again, they were never known in Heaven. It is not surprising therefore why many will hear God say to them on that day, “I never knew you; depart from me ye workers of iniquity” (Luke 13:27). How come? Good associations, godly associations, all minus salvation can never inherit eternal life. This was the case of Nicodemus...“Jesus answered and said to him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?” (John 3:10). He was a master and ruler and was associated with religious traditions, but he did not know salvation.

Looking at the trends where those who sang in church choir end up in the secular music world, singing to glorify the devil, they started with association and perhaps never found salvation. They end up become vessels for the devil in promoting his kingdom principles of iniquity. The other day a top Nigeria musician and rapper was invited by some so-called organisers to a gospel music fiesta, and when he grabbed the microphone he said he was glad to be back home in the church because that was where according to him many of them started from. So he was saying they had association with the church but salvation was questionable, no wonder they did not abide.

The other time I taught about the difference between reformation and transformation...to add; association at best will bring reformation, but salvation births transformation. It is needful for you to be sure now which one is true in your life, if your ticket is association or salvation...this is the best time to know before you reach the judgement seat when it becomes too late.