Our church just moved into a new “year” last month. As I look back over the things that happened last year in our church, I see that we had some baptisms of new believers, and some people moved their membership to our church. That means people are coming, getting involved, and are actively doing what God is asking of them when it comes to worship.
Have you been lately? Do you attend a church at all? Maybe you attend, but not on a regular basis. If so, what keeps you from going on a regular basis? I remember as a kid, we were there every time the door was open, Sunday morning, Sunday night, Wednesday night and any activity in between. So, is that how it’s supposed to be? As Christians, do we really have to go to church all the time? Look at what the scripture says about it. Ephesians 2:19-22 says: “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone. In Him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in Him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.”
We are building a household, a Christian network where we are built on a foundation with Christ as the corner of it. As we are building this thing called the church (the body of believers, not the building itself), we are to do it together because when we do it together, we get things done more efficiently and effectively. We are to accept one another, encourage one another, serve and submit to one another while building each other up. We are to offer hospitality to each other and devote our resources to one another. We are to meet together and not forsake that time together so that we can spur each other on toward love and good deeds. Imagine our worship of Christ our Savior if we met together and wanted to give to others as much as we were there to receive.
Do I have to go to church today? I pray you never say those words. Rather, I hope you would say that this is the day the Lord has made, let me rejoice and be glad in it by going to the house of the Lord. Or, as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Let’s meet at our respective churches this Sunday and serve Him together. He deserves it.
Chris Marsh, Ditney Ridge Baptist Church
