5 Perspectives to Have if You "Go to Church" {#1}

If you missed any posts in this series, 

you can read perspective 2 (the church as a people) here,

perspective 3 (who we are, not what we do) here, 

perspective 4 (accountability before God) here,

and perspective 5 (servant leadership) here.

"Going to church" is largely viewed as what Christians "do."

In fact, a recent article shared 5 Spiritual Dangers of Skipping Church. According to this article, Christians who skip or do not attend a "church" 

1. "Miss out on God's primary design for your spiritual growth and well being"
2. "Disobey God"
3. "Make a statement to the world that God is not worthy of worship"
4. "Can't minister to anyone"
5. "Skip out on a foretaste of heaven"

Wow. Those are some pretty bold claims-- especially when these claims are only supported by three scriptures in the entire article. I could go point-by-point discussing with Biblical evidence each one. 

I will not do that, however. The point is not to prove or disprove someone's theology. The point is to have the faith of Christ (Galations 2:20), and to cling to His doctrine (Romans 6:17, 16:17, Ephesians 4:14)! My prayer is, "Show me Your ways, O Lord! Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth, and teach me because YOU are the God of my salvation" (Psalm 25:4-5). As Paul stated in 1 Corinthians 2:2, "I am determined to know nothing- save Christ and Him crucified." We can only stand on the rock of Jesus.

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With that in mind, I would like to share with you 5 perspectives one should keep in mind if you "go to church." I will share these perspectives one by one in a series- since they are generally lengthy. This post discusses perspective 1.

1. The Purpose of Gathering Together

Hebrews 10:23-25 give us insight into why we gather together with fellow believers.

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 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 (KJV).

We assemble with other believers "to provoke unto love and to good works.... exhorting one another." When we are gathered together with other believers, we are intreated in the faith, strengthened in the faith, and grown in the faith.

Intreated in the Faith

Light and darkness cannot have a coexistant relationship. When one appears, the other leaves. Sometimes, we face dark and difficult circumstances in our life. Life happens. We make mistakes. We sin. We need light! Encouragement from a fellow believer can be that light. (I define encouragement as intreating one in the faith.)

Hebrews 3:12-13 suggests that DAILY encouragement from fellow believers can keep one from "an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God" and being "hardened through the deceitfulness of sin."

1 Thessalonians 5:11 says "Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify [encourage] one another, even as also ye do."

We must know the times we live in. We must know the character of God- through reading His Word, through experiences in our own life, and through the testimony of His character in others' lives, that He is the Light. We must have a sound ear to hear those intreating us, "Turn to God!" should we ever begin losing our way.

Strengthened in the Faith

Studying the Word of God is one of the most rewarding and productive practices (see Malachi 3:6), and the people of God cannot help but talk about Him! As we talk about the Lord, discussing our studying, our experiences, and our thoughts, we are strengthened in Him. We interact with the body of Christ and become empowered in our part as the Bride. The more we dwell on anything, the more it will consume us. (I want to dwell on the Lord!)

Malachi 3:6 tells us "Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon His name" (KJV).

After the initial outpouring of the Holy Ghost (the promise of the Father) in Acts chapter 2, scriptures tell us that the early church went from "house to house" (Acts 2:46-47). The Lord added to the Church (the Bride, the Body of Christ) as a result of their continuing in the ways of the Lord and in fellowship.

Grown in the Faith

As we are intreated and strengthened in the faith- hearing the testimony of others and discussing Him and His Word- we will begin to grow. We will begin to not only hear the Word and discuss the Word, but DO the Word. Our thoughts will be focused on Him, and our actions will REFLECT those thoughts. (Note: Our actions are not because we are "good" or made a "decision" to do good. Any "good" is a reflection of Christ's nature which has made us new in Him. HIS righteousness is shown through us. Our "good actions" are HIS actions.)

James 1 has an interesting discussion about our actions. Verse 22 says, "But be ye doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." Chapter 2:17-18 continues the discussion: "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, 'Thou hast faith, and I have works:' show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works" (KJV). 

Faith and works have a very special relationship in that our actions (works) are a reflection of the faith of Christ in us. When we become doers of the Word, true growth in the faith occurs.

So What If....?

So what if you "go to a church" that does not provoke you unto love and to good works? What if every time you try to discuss the Word of God with others after your service, you are ignored or the topic is speedily changed? What if you are trying to get a Bible study together at your home, but no one is interested? What if you try to speak with your pastor about his message, and he completely shuts you down? Or says "You study too much" (true story of a pastor I know).

You can continue in such an environment, but Biblically, you would STILL be "forsaking the assembling of yourselves together." The purpose of gathering together would be obsolete in such an environment.

Look for the second perspective to have if you "go to church" tomorrow!

God bless you and keep you,

~Raquel