Must I Go To Church?
Must I go to church?
I don’t have to go to church. We live in the United States where I don’t have to do much of anything. I have to pay taxes. Evidently, according to some, I must buy health insurance. I suppose the Supreme Court will decide if I must do that.
But must I got to church?
The answer would have to be no. Plenty of people who claim to know Christ do not go to church.
They say that they get just as much out of going to the lake or river and fishing as they do going to church. They say that they would prefer to go hiking or go to brunch or play golf. There are multitudes of other things.
So, must I go to church?
Some preachers would say that I do. They would claim all sorts of reasons. They would reference the cross and say it’s the least I could do. They would reference Hebrews 10:25 and say that I should not forsake assembling. They would say that Sunday is the Lord’s day where the Lord’s people gather in the Lord’s house.
So, must I go to church?
Really, when it comes down to it, what matters is what I say, not what anyone else says.
So, must I go to church?
Yes.
I must go to church. But it’s not the kind of must that you may think I’m talking about.
Before I got to bed every night, I must kiss my wife, Jan. But it’s not out of a sense of duty. It’s because I am so compelled by my love for her. I must kiss her every morning when we wake up.
I don’t kiss her out of any law or duty. I kiss her because I am driven by my love and desire to kiss her.
It’s the same thing with going to church.
I want to gather with fellow believers and worship the Lord.
I want to be stimulated to good deeds and encouraged.
I want to experience a community of believers.
So, must I go to church.
Absolutely.
Must you go to church?
Your take is a bit different than what I thought at first. My first thought is “no” you don’t have to go to church. There is too much guilt thrown around already. However, I would say “you don’t HAVE to go to church; you should WANT to go. For the exact reasons you stated.
Exactly. I don’t have to go to church. But I must.
Interesting post, Larry. This past weekend, I had a conversation with a couple who left the church 12 years ago believing that they don’t have to go to church. The conversation isn’t over (I hope), but it left me doing a lot of thinking and praying. I think they would still call themselves Christians, but it boggles my mind that they don’t want to hang out with a body of believers. More to follow….
I look forward to hearing more, Jon
No one can survive if they are not in a Community…that is what the church, should be a community…
Exactly, Arny. I may not have to go, buying have to go.
I agree 100%. Sometime between high school and now, I started looking forward to going to church, because I started craving that community that church provided. It’s the same sort of thing that drives me to read and comment on Christians’ blogs. It’s like a church but on the internet.
A friend of mine said it well last night…Mae all want to fit in. And most of us will fit in….to something.
Yes–I’m the pastor, so I must. Just kidding, of course. I must for the same reason you must. And sometimes there is food.
Food helps!!!
I don’t have to go, but I want to. His love compels, His community beckons.
Right!!! You don’t have to, but you must.
Great analogy Larry, I have some friends who have made a choice not to right now and I think this is really fitting.
Glad you liked it. I just can’t endorse not going, any more than not kissing.