The New Testament is replete with Scriptures teaching the essentiality of being a member of the Lord's church. Many say the church is not important, or I can be a Christian and still please God without the church. Yet, many passages of scripture teach differently. Jesus is the head of the church which is his body (Colossians 1:18, 24), and he is the Saviour of the body (Ephesians 5:23). He purchased it with His very own blood (Acts 20:28). God has taken the Christian out of a world of darkness and has translated him into the kingdom of His dear Son (Colossians 1:13). Therefore, church membership is essential if one desires to be saved and go to Heaven (Acts 2:38, 41, 47; 1 Corinthians 15:24).

However, just because one has become a member of the Lord's church, even though it is essential, does not mean he has an automatic ticket to Heaven. The Lord taught a parable pertaining to those citizens of the kingdom (Matthew 13:36-43). In it he warns them that once saved always saved is a false concept. The child of God then must examine himself to see whether or not he is in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5). Paul, in this verse, is writing by inspiration to the church at Corinth. He states that they should examine themselves lest they come to the end of life and be found worthless.

The Bible teaches that there are various reasons why some are lost in the Lord's church. Some are lost because of unbelief. "Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing form the living God. But exhort one another daily while it is called today; least any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin" (Hebrews 3:12-13). The author is writing to Hebrew Christians. The result of an evil heart of unbelief is a departing from the living God. It takes faith to overcome the world (1 John 5:4) and faith comes by hearing the doing the word of God (Romans 10:17; James 1:22). The promise of eternal life by Jesus is by the Christian living faithful (Revelation 2:10).

Some are lost in the church because of a failure to bear fruit. The Christian is to be fruitful in every good work (Colossians 1:10). The vine and the branch parable teaches fruit bearing (John 15:1-8). What is the purpose of the fig tree? Naturally it is to bear fruit (Luke 13:6-9). Once the Lord came to a fig tree that was not bearing fruit and cursed it (Matthew 21:18-19). A Christian in like manner is expected to bear fruit and according to John 15:8 is to bear much fruit.

Certainly there are other reasons why some are lost in the church. Yet these seem to be some of the greater reasons. Just because one is a member of the Lord's church does not mean he will go to Heaven. It is the way he lives his life as a member of the Lord's church that determines it.