There was a time when I thought that I didn’t need to go to church
because I could watch church on TV or the Internet at home. I decided that I
didn’t need to go to church because I could praise God and read my Bible alone
in the comforts of my bedroom. I resolved that church was overrated and that, of
course, most preachers were just probably in it for the money.
I know…I was far out into the
world. Then things in life didn’t go as planned- there were some re-routes,
de-tours, and maybe even some dreams deferred before I again took solace in the
Word. I hit many brick walls before I sought refuge in God’s loving arms and
cried out to Him for direction. I know where you are, I’ve been down that road.
It gets hard depending on your own strength and discipline. It’s lonely when
you’re relying on your will power to help you trudge through life. That’s
exactly what it is- trudging - because at these points in life we are simply
making circles in quick sand…going nowhere, fast.
When you stay home alone and you don’t engage in fellowship with other
Christians, we tend to develop our own doctrine for living and decide that we
can pick and choose which ideologies and philosophies we will follow. We
start to think we can make it to heaven through our own good deeds. We become so consumed living by certain
rules that we just miss the mark. Then, we realize that we never wake up
early enough to catch the morning sermons, we are too busy to open our Bible,
and spending time with God is unnecessary because after all isn’t God ALWAYS
with us?
As followers of Christ, each and
every one of us should seek out and find a Bible teaching, Bible believing
church. Church is not somewhere we go because we want God to say, “Oh hey! There’s Tiffany she finally came!
I’ve missed her. I’m going to give her a brand new car.” No, my friends,
church is for US. Yes, our attendance at church pleases God, because we are
lifting Him up. However, church is more so for us because God certainly doesn’t need church. God is always with us, even in our darkest hours when we
fear He’s abandoned us. The truth
remains that God never leaves and He never forsakes us. Therefore, if we
truly believe and say that we are Christians, we must seek consistently to be a
member in the body of Christ utilizing the very gifts that God has afforded us
to build His kingdom.
Christians all over the world are
charged with the Great Commission.
“All
authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make
disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have
commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)
In this way, Christ has given us the authority
to make even more disciples than He made while on earth.
Ephesians 1:23 says, “And the church is his body; it is made full
and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.” Since the Church exists as the body of
Christ on earth we should wholeheartedly embrace it. It will grow our spirits and help to decrease us and increase Christ inside of us.
Church isn’t a place where we go
to simply listen to the sermon, pay tithes, and go home. It serves as a support system for educating young and mature Christians
seeking a deeper relationship with God. The church exists to provide
various means of help to those in need. No, we should not go to a church we feel
is not in accordance with what the Bible teaches. However, we should absolutely
go to a church where the words and actions of Jesus are reflected in the body
of believers that gather together in His name. In this way, we are not bystanders in the body, but we become vines that
produce much fruit for the glory of God. If you have shied away from church
or even have had a bad experience in a church, I encourage you to visit and
find a church home where you can be comforted in times of grief, educated on
spiritual maturity, and also have the ability to assist others growing towards
Christ.
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