.
Quite often, believers express the opinion that commitment to a local body isn’t required for a strong relationship with God. They argue that fellowships are far from perfect: churches have conflict with other churches, people in the same congregation don’t always get along, and some Christians are hypocritical. I understand all of these complaints.
But as followers of Christ, we shouldn’t base our actions on merely an assessment of the facts; we must follow the counsel of Scripture. Hebrews 10:24-25 says, “Let us consider how
to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another” (emphasis added). It’s true that some people can’t attend church due to physical limitations, and others have no Bible-believing congregations in their area. But aside from those exceptions, everyone who wants to maintain
a vital, growing relationship with Jesus Christ needs to be involved in a local body of believers.
Quite often, believers express the opinion that commitment to a local body isn’t required for a strong relationship with God. They argue that fellowships are far from perfect: churches have conflict with other churches, people in the same congregation don’t always get along, and some Christians are hypocritical. I understand all of these complaints.
But as followers of Christ, we shouldn’t base our actions on merely an assessment of the facts; we must follow the counsel of Scripture. Hebrews 10:24-25 says, “Let us consider how
to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another” (emphasis added). It’s true that some people can’t attend church due to physical limitations, and others have no Bible-believing congregations in their area. But aside from those exceptions, everyone who wants to maintain
a vital, growing relationship with Jesus Christ needs to be involved in a local body of believers.
Why should believers assemble
together as a church?
■ to worship. When we gather for church, we usually praise God in song, giving Him thanks for the good things He’s done. Worshipping Him lifts our spirits and strengthens our souls. Many of the songs are full of theological truths that educate us about the blessings we have in Him.
■ to learn the Word of God. In church, we often have the opportunity to learn from those with special biblical training or deep spiritual maturity. Be ready to check any teaching against the whole counsel of Scripture. Pulling verses out of context can lead to doctrinal errors. We are living in a time when many people don’t want to listen to sound doctrine; they prefer to have “their ears tickled”—that is, to hear only what sounds good to them (2 Tim. 4:3).
■ to fulfill the Great Commission. Most of us aren’t able to move across the world, learn a new language and culture, and try to reach the local people with the gospel. But as the body of Christ, we send missionaries to far off places. We support them through our prayers, letters or emails, and financial support. Together, we can fulfill the command to take the good news to the nations (Matt. 28:18-20).
■ to protect themselves. When someone stops attending church, it is almost inevitable that he or she will begin to drift away from God. Hearing scriptural truth each week helps hold believers accountable to high moral, ethical, and spiritual standards. Otherwise, the world’s messages, which constantly bombard our minds, tend to distract us from the still, small voice of God.
■ to worship. When we gather for church, we usually praise God in song, giving Him thanks for the good things He’s done. Worshipping Him lifts our spirits and strengthens our souls. Many of the songs are full of theological truths that educate us about the blessings we have in Him.
■ to learn the Word of God. In church, we often have the opportunity to learn from those with special biblical training or deep spiritual maturity. Be ready to check any teaching against the whole counsel of Scripture. Pulling verses out of context can lead to doctrinal errors. We are living in a time when many people don’t want to listen to sound doctrine; they prefer to have “their ears tickled”—that is, to hear only what sounds good to them (2 Tim. 4:3).
■ to fulfill the Great Commission. Most of us aren’t able to move across the world, learn a new language and culture, and try to reach the local people with the gospel. But as the body of Christ, we send missionaries to far off places. We support them through our prayers, letters or emails, and financial support. Together, we can fulfill the command to take the good news to the nations (Matt. 28:18-20).
■ to protect themselves. When someone stops attending church, it is almost inevitable that he or she will begin to drift away from God. Hearing scriptural truth each week helps hold believers accountable to high moral, ethical, and spiritual standards. Otherwise, the world’s messages, which constantly bombard our minds, tend to distract us from the still, small voice of God.
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