Sunday, March 8, 2020

You Can Be a Christian and Not Go to Church

We've all wondered if we could be Christians without going to church.  And we've all read Hebrews 10:25 (NIV) saying to "not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
Then we've wondered what might be the minimum church attendance requirement to keep our names from being erased from the Book of Life.
If I were to never speak with my relatives from this day on, it wouldn't change the fact that we are family.  My DNA would stay the same, and my birth certificate would remain unchanged.  I'd still be myself.  What would be the difference?  I would miss out on shared experiences, moral support, family news, and opportunities to explore the mutual history, common values, and even individual differences, that bind us together and reinforce our identity and purpose in life.  And I like to think my clan would miss out on those same things from me.
"And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him.  A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart."  Ecclesiastes 4:12 (NAS)
We draw strength from our numbers.  We pool our resources, make each other laugh, comfort each other through tough times.  We benefit from each other's good reputations.  Even if we bother each other occasionally, that's just a reminder that we still have room for personal growth.
"Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers.  Be shepherds of the flock of God, which he bought with his own blood."  Acts 20:28 (NIV)
You can be a Christian and not go to church, but not a victorious or effective one.

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