I’m not sure where it happened or why it has happened, but for some reason, Christian people don’t think that going to church on a regular basis is really that important. There is this mindset that gathering once a week with other Christians corporately is not truly a necessity to vibrant Christian growth.
D.L. Moody says, “Church attendance is as vital to a disciple as a transfusion of rich healthy blood is to a sick man.”
As soon as you start pushing a little on this idea, people start saying stuff like, “Don’t be legalistic, we’re free from all that stuff.” And I will says yes and amen to that idea as well, but we’re free to do what we OUGHT to do, not what we WANT to do.
Why is it that most of the time we miss or skip church? We can make excuses, but at the end of the day, we do what we want to do. Many times we miss out on church due to selfish reasons. The truth is, we skip church most of the time because we are more interested in doing other things. That’s really sad. Being active in a local church has many rewards and benefits.
*Fellowship
*Community
*Accountability
*Having a sense of belonging and purpose.
*Having a mission
And the list can continue. I want you to read this verse and see how important being apart of church body truly is.
“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” (Heb. 10:19-25).
In short, the Lord is saying don’t skip church, even though so many are doing that on a regular basis. Don’t abandon each other. Church is important. Gathering together is vital to a healthy walk on your Christian journey.
If you have the ability to grow stronger in your Christian faith, why would you want to ignore that possibility? Push past being mediocre and strive for excellence.