Is It Necessary to Go to Church?

Occasionally, I hear someone speak of their religion as being just between them and God, and it is implied that they don’t get involved in organized religion nor meet with other professed Christians even on occasions. While it is true that all that really maters is what God thinks, the only way we can know what he thinks is by reading the Bible. What does he think about those who ignore his teaching, by not reading the Bible, and direct their own steps religiously?

The prophet Jeremiah wrote, “O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps” (Jer 10:23). This being true, man must look somewhere else for guidance. According to David, God is the one that gives that guidance. He wrote, “Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory” (Ps 73:24).

In the New Covenant that is spoken of as “the perfect law of liberty,” we read about the church (the saved, Acts 2:47) that Jesus shed his blood to save. The apostles gave instruction regarding the nature, the work and the worship of the church. Other instructions include individual responsibility to the church. Such work involves not only activities that benefit the church but also those that benefit the individual. As each of us follows God's plan and instructions it helps us to learn and "...Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (2 Pet. 3:18). Among those instructions is the command to assemble with the saints. The Hebrews writer wrote, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together...” (Heb. 10:25-29).

While some do not understand that it is important to assemble with other Christians we learn from the above text that God views it as VERY important. We notice in this text a clear command to assemble with the saints and that failure to obey is sin. But not just any sin--it is called willful sin and it is insinuated that one who has forsaken the assemblies has forsaken Christ, as "there remains no more sacrifice for sins..."

While it may be uncomfortable for some to visit a congregation and get to know new people to learn what they believe, and how they live, etc., this is what God would have you to do. Christianity is a cause. Those who fight for that cause are referred to as a soldier of Christ (2 Tim. 2:4; Eph 6:12-17). The New Testament makes no promise of a reward for those who refuse to take up their cross and follow Jesus (Matt. 16:24). Taking an active part in Christ's church is part of what is involved in following the Lord.

The church of Christ at Forum welcomes visitors and/or private home studies. See the link below for contact information: www.ForumCOC.org