Jesus = Yes
I believe in Jesus, but I do not attend church or I attend once in a while.
Perhaps you have just put your faith in Jesus, are not sure about a recent church experience, or you have given up on Church altogether. Regarding your experience or expectation, it is important to consider what the Church is not.
The Church is NOT a social club for the privileged.
The Church is NOT a facility to earn points for heaven.
The Church is NOT a collection of perfect people.
The Church is NOT just a bunch of hypocrites; it is full of imperfect people, like you, who need God.
Belonging to an assembly of believers does not justify you to God itself. Avoiding an assembly of believers certainly does not set you up in the right circumstance either. The Bible tells us, “Let us firmly hold the profession of our faith without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another to love and to good works. Let us not forsake the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but let us exhort one another, especially as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:23-25 MEV). We are told not to give up meeting together, because together we are supposed to love and encourage one another. Now let’s consider what the Church is:
The Church IS a hospital for those who are spiritually sick.
The Church IS where the fallen are picked back up.
The Church IS a community of believers that works and interacts together.
The Church IS where you grow spiritually and exercise your faith together.
The Church IS the people, not the building where they meet.
Jesus said, “For where two or three are assembled in my name, there am I in their midst” (Matthew 18:20 MEV). We gather in the name of Jesus. There is power in the corporate activity of believers that God honors. When you separate yourself from other believers, you become isolated and vulnerable. Like a muscle that atrophies through inactivity, faith will deteriorate if you do not exercise it. The Church is the people and Jesus is the head of those people. If others within the Church have given you a bad experience, remember that they will answer for themselves before God. You must answer for yourself. It is very important to be involved in an assembly of believers that loves one another and takes the Bible seriously. Join and grow in your faith there. It really matters.
The Church is NOT a social club for the privileged.
The Church is NOT a facility to earn points for heaven.
The Church is NOT a collection of perfect people.
The Church is NOT just a bunch of hypocrites; it is full of imperfect people, like you, who need God.
Belonging to an assembly of believers does not justify you to God itself. Avoiding an assembly of believers certainly does not set you up in the right circumstance either. The Bible tells us, “Let us firmly hold the profession of our faith without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another to love and to good works. Let us not forsake the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but let us exhort one another, especially as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:23-25 MEV). We are told not to give up meeting together, because together we are supposed to love and encourage one another. Now let’s consider what the Church is:
The Church IS a hospital for those who are spiritually sick.
The Church IS where the fallen are picked back up.
The Church IS a community of believers that works and interacts together.
The Church IS where you grow spiritually and exercise your faith together.
The Church IS the people, not the building where they meet.
Jesus said, “For where two or three are assembled in my name, there am I in their midst” (Matthew 18:20 MEV). We gather in the name of Jesus. There is power in the corporate activity of believers that God honors. When you separate yourself from other believers, you become isolated and vulnerable. Like a muscle that atrophies through inactivity, faith will deteriorate if you do not exercise it. The Church is the people and Jesus is the head of those people. If others within the Church have given you a bad experience, remember that they will answer for themselves before God. You must answer for yourself. It is very important to be involved in an assembly of believers that loves one another and takes the Bible seriously. Join and grow in your faith there. It really matters.