Do you attend church regularly?

My late pastor, Dr. Woody Lee, stated once, “Being in a church wouldn’t make you a Christian any more than being in a garage would make you a car.” He sure was right, but the Bible does tell us, as Christians, to be in church. The Bible warns us not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together. Surely God meant this, at least secondarily, for our benefit. Becoming a Christian does not require being in church; however, there are many reasons why a Christian that has the ability to be in church should be there. Let’s look at a few of these

First of all, a church family will help you to focus on God. Times sure have changed, even since I was a child. There are many more things in our lives now that demand our focus. Although some of these things that consume our time are great things, they can keep us from the best things that God has in store for us.

Secondly, a church family will help you face your problems. One of my favorite passages is Luke 22: 31,32; where Jesus told Peter that Satan had asked to sift him as wheat. Jesus said, “But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.“It’s a blessing to know that God would use us to strengthen and help others face their problems in life. I have definitely been on the receiving end of this more than the giving end.

Thirdly, a church family will help you grow in your faith. This is accomplished as together you spend time together in Bible study and prayer. But perhaps even more so when we see God reward the faith of the church with unexplainable blessings.

A fourth reason you should be in church is because a church family will help you discover meaning. This is accomplished by serving others through the ministries of the church. If we are going to be followers of Christ, we must become servants of others, both inside and outside the church family.

Lastly, the church will help you to share the Good News of Christ with your friends. The Apostle Luke wrote in the 20th chapter of Acts, in verse 24, “But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” The goal of everything that we do should be to share the gospel. Your church should provide opportunities for you to learn how to do this effectively.

If you are a member of a local church, great, take the opportunity to be a blessing to others in it. If not, what are you waiting for? Pray for God to lead you to the right church home. When He does, you will find the Word of God taught truthfully and entirely, without apology. You’ll find yourself growing, going into the community and glowing in Jesus’ name!! Be blessed.