If you call yourself a follower of Christ, but do not go to church, here are a few thoughts. It is true, going to church does not make you a Christian, and not going to Church does not make you a sinner (Actually we were all born sinners, so let’s face up to it). And, unfortunately, there are believers all over the world who are cut off from the fellowship of other believers against their will. Even so, far too many professing believers neglect the meeting together of the saints, even when they have absolutely nothing standing in their way.
Sometimes the reason for not going to church is an excuse like, “Oh, those people are just hypocrites!” This, of course, is a foolish argument since every single Christian is a hypocrite at times in their own ways. After all, someone did have to be murdered to pay for the sins of every single believer. This fact alone is evidence that we were not the best people to begin with. Is it any surprise that some of our filthy former selves would remain? Then again your excuse might be something like, “I don’t need other Christians. I am fine on my own.” If either of these are true, then may I humbly submit that your relationship with Christ is all about you, not Him.
And yet when the relationship becomes all about Him and showing others how much He loves them, and that no matter what they have done He will forgive them and accept them, then it becomes impossible to stay away from the Church. We all need the gifts and talents of each other to accomplish the work Christ has given us. So yes, we can be saved and not go to church, but without the support of other believers how far in Christ’s work will we actually make it? For we were not saved for own selfishness, but to show the world how amazing He is, and for that we need each other.
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV) could not be more clear, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
References
Scripture quotations taken from The ESV ® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2014 David Scott Fields II. All Rights Reserved.