I have heard it many times and you probably have too: “I can be just as good as Christian at home without going to church.” Is that true? Not if you are able to go to church. If you are able, you have responsibilities that God holds you accountable for. Look at what Heb 10:25 says. “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” You cannot accomplish that if you don’t show up. Somebody may need your help. 1Co 1:10 tells us to be united and joined together of the same mind. “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” Why? We are stronger when we are united together. That includes being joined in faith, in praise, in worship and in mission.
You may not think the church needs you, but God does. God didn’t say for you to be comfortable but to be obedient to what He said. Maybe God wants you to help the church become stronger. Maybe God wants to change you. God knows what He wants better than you or I.
You may say but they don’t really teach the Word. If that is true; then you may be in the wrong church. Ask God to direct you to the right fellowship. Every church is different and perhaps their mission is too. Not everyone who stands in the pulpit is called of God. A lot of untruth and error spews forth from some churches. Not everyone sticks to the Holy Word of God.
God has placed in the church apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers (4:11-12). Not everyone is called of God. If the anointing of the Holy Ghost is not present; if the Word of God is explained away; if unbelief fills the air; something needs changed. God knows. Ask Him. God loves you and is not willing for any to perish (2 Peter 3:9). Some think God has changed. He has not. Some cancel out scriptures with any authority to do so. Just because you have not seen God do a certain thing does not mean that He won’t. Just because you have not experienced something does not mean the Word is not true. Ro 3:4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, that thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged. God is not bound by our ignorance (and we all have some) but sometimes we do limit Him by unbelief, lack of faith or disobedience. Seek Him, love Him, trust Him and simply let Him be God. The denomination didn’t go to Calvary, Jesus did. The church didn’t send Jesus there, God the Father did. Traditions are not truth, the Word of God is. His Word will come to pass. Isa 55:11 so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. Let it be so in your life.
Maranatha!