There is an ever-growing teaching in the world today that Christians do not need to attend worship services with other Christians, or as most people refer to it, “go to church.” Many so-called Christians even suggest that it is better to not attend than to attend.
The argument is presented in a multitude of persuasive forms. The arguments are all based entirely on human logic and are self-focused, but the young or immature believer, I fear, will not know enough to see that.
This week I read too many “Christian” articles about why Christians need not bother with corporate worship. Here is a sampling of some of the things I read:
…organized religion is the very barrier they need to overcome to get closer proximity to Jesus…
You can fully love God without going to a church.
There is value in sharing life with other people who are seeking to be the best version of themselves.
Everything God has for you is available to you right where you are; in the woods, in bed, around your table, at the game, having coffee with your spouse, pruning the flowers, driving down the Interstate.
…while it may be helpful (and to many it is), it is not necessary.
Just because I feel I must:
Organized religion is not a barrier to overcome to get closer to Jesus, unless you are attending an unbiblical church. If you are attending an unbiblical church, the answer is not staying at home, it’s going to a Biblical church!
I don’t believe that you can “fully love God” if you see fit to not go to worship. Jesus explained that the definition of loving Him is to obey His commands, one of which comes from the inspired writer of Hebrews who advises us, with reasons, to not neglect corporate worship services.
As for the “seeking to be the best version of themselves” statement, this misses the point entirely. Christians are not called to be the best version of ourselves – we’re called to be like Jesus and to throw ourselves at His mercy, understanding that the best version of me is worthy only of hell. At worship we surround ourselves with people who don’t want to be themselves anymore, but want instead to be like Jesus.
“Everything?” God has for you is available to you right where you are? Wrong again. On multiple levels. What about taking the Lord’s Supper? What about giving financially? What about encouraging your brothers and sisters? The list goes on and on, but let me add just one final thing.
Jesus said in Matthew 16:18, …I will build My church… and the word He used for church was ekklesia, which means “an assembled group.” In other words, Jesus said, I will build My assembled group. It was never His intention for His followers to be isolated. He did not intend to “build” something that would consist of scattered pieces.
Forget every argument that you hear regarding corporate worship. There is only one authority to determine whether or not Christians should be worshiping together – the Bible. This week, we’ll examine what it has to say and put that to practice.
Much love,
Wes LeFlore (918) 607-8489 or huskerwes1@gmail.com
