By Pastor Dave
Why attend a local Church? Why be a member of a Church? Some say, “I can be a Christian and not attend a Church. I can be a Christian all by myself.” I will say that there are a couple of reasons for not attending a Church. There may be medical issues that make it difficult to attend and there may be financial reasons such as no transportation. However, Scripture tells us in Hebrews 10:25 …not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another.... Scripture also says in Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. We can not do that all by ourselves. We need to get together with other believers.
The Bible tells us in 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 that when we get saved, we become part of the body of Christ. The body of Christ makes up the Church. Simply put, a body part separated from the body can not live for long. A body part disconnected from the body will die. I believe it is true of the believer as well. Christians who do not regularly attend Church will not thrive, will not grow and will lose some of their spiritual life. God has designed us to need each other. We are to love, support, teach, correct, bless and help one another. We can not do that from our house, alone, separated from the body of believers.
I know there are reasons (I call them excuses) why people don’t attend a Church. But the bottom line is, if we put Christ first in our lives, we will want to honor Him and obey Him. One way we honor and obey Jesus is by regular Church attendance and being involved in the Church. God saved you to do good works and to use the gifts He gave you to bless other believers. You can not do that unless are part of a Church.
I encourage you to seek God and ask Him where He wants you and then start going there regularly and get involved.