Why Do I Have To Go To Church?

How often have I heard this sentence from the mouth of my children at one time or another--I can't clearly recall? The idea of not wanting to go to church has come in various questioning statements such as: Do I have to go to church today? Can I skip church today? Why do I have to go? to plainly, I don't want to go to church today! To all these questions, my answer or comment has always been, why wouldn't you want to go to church today? What else would you prefer to do? Now, the answers gotten have always been less than satisfactory to me.

To be also really truthful myself, how often have the thoughts reached my mind about skipping church entirely for something else. How often I felt that I could leave the holy congregation early because I must do something else. I have had plenty of excuses such as, (1) I can worship God on my own, yell and jump without offending anyone, or being looked at strangely; ( 2) I can listen to all my favorite teachers on television from the various Christians network, whenever I want to, and still attend church in my own home; (3) I can speak in heavenly languages and rebuke the fiery darts of the enemy without offending anyone--you know, we don't do stuff like that in the church I attend; (4) I can learn more if I were to stay home, relaxing while reading my bible--I am so tired you know; (5) I don't feel comfortable at church--the people are so different; (6) I can, I can, I don't, I wish, and the list goes on and on…..

But, as the thoughts go on and on, I can visualize in my mind the passage from my bible that exhorts us to meet together. Why do I have to go to church? Should the question be, why do I have to assemble with others in the faith? Here lies the answer to this question for all followers of Christ. Hebrew 10:25 states that we should not forget to meet together. But what is the Church? We, as Christians, represent the church, the body of Christ, born of one Spirit, of one blood, into one family (1 Corinthians 10:17; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27). Now, is there any purpose in meeting together?

I am going to share with you some great reasons for coming together. I am sure that you all know about them already. I am sure that all great preachers can add many more reasons to these few. However, let's review together what I think the Holy Father has placed in my heart to remind me whenever I am tempted to make the decision of not meeting together with His people.

First, if the apostles and the first Christians didn't tarry together in prayers in one place, they wouldn't have not been endue with power during the first Pentecost and receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:12-14; Acts 2:1-4). Second, we are to build up each other in our most holy faith so we can work together at doing the works of the Father (Ephesians 4:11-13; Jude 20). Third, we are to learn from each other and restore each other in the truth with love. We are to exhort each other especially as we see the day come near (Hebrews 10:24-25). Fourth, we are to be loving, tolerant and accommodating of people from various backgrounds, personality and social status. How can we do that if we don't meet together. Since we are all going to be living and working together forever, let's start practicing now! Let's learn to follow the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit who are such great examples of love, unity, perfection and who are working together for the betterment of the whole world.

Fifth, we are to minister (serve), disciple others, and become a witness of Jesus resurrection. That can only be done when we are learning in a loving church environment and taking what we learn to our homes, family, schools, workplace, community, and the uttermost ends of our little world (Jude 20-23). Sixth, we are to help the weak in the faith, the new babes in Christ. How can we do that if we don't know who they are (1 Corinthians 9:19-23; Hebrews 5:11-14). Seventh, we are to contribute financially to the work of the Kingdom. Meeting together and participating in the offerings allow us to fulfill some of the mandates of the great commission to feed the sick, clothe the naked, providing for other ministry needs, etc.

The church of the Living God should never be in needs and wants. The children of the King must always make sure that all needs are met. Eighth, we are to pray for each other and the unsaved. How can we have effective prayers if we don't communicate with each other in order to know what the need of the body is? (1 John 5:16; Jude 20) Ninth, we must always obey the written Word of God (1 Peter 1:25; Psalm 133:1-3; 2 Corinthians 3:16-17). Our loving Father wants us to come together so He can move among us and do mighty works and wonders. What a great privilege we have to worship together in unity since the Lord has commanded His blessing there for evermore. What a sweet fragrance it had when we use to sing Psalm 133 in worship.

The written Word of God is the Lord's love letter to the chosen ones, the royal priesthood, the holy nation, the peculiar people, not the world. Don't forget that the natural man can't understand the things of God and the Word of the Living God, because it is foolishness to those who are perishing (1 Corinthians 2:14).

As the Holy Spirit is working in our lives to make us one with the Father, we must always be submissive and obedient to the written Word. Let's not be like the ten virgins who knew about the Lord's coming, but only five were ready (Matthew 25:1-13). Let's not be like the church of Laodiceans described in Revelation 3:14-22 as being lukewarm that will be spewed out of the Lord's mouth. Let's not be like the ones who cried Lord, Lord, in your name we have done this or that, to be rejected because we didn't have a relationship with the Lord (Matthew 7:21-23).

Blessed are those who hear the Word of God and obey it! (Luke 11:28)

Marie Monaus