Do I have to go to Church?
When the Spirit of God renews your heart, you won’t avoid God’s people—you’ll want to be with them.
“Do I have to go to Church?” the question came out as a whine.
Have you ever felt that way—or have you a family member that asks that question just before you’re getting into the car to go to a church service?
When children ask that question, a lot of parents relent. Some think a child should be free to choose their own path in life—parents shouldn’t interfere with spiritual choice.
But if that’s true, parents shouldn’t interfere with teaching a child anything. That sentiment is as bizarre as If a child doesn’t want to go to the dentist, or the doctor, they shouldn’t have to. As my friend, Pastor Darryl says, “If we insist that children go to school, we should insist that children go to church.” In fact, the Bible says, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6 ESV).
There’s a deeper issue needing to be addressed when a parent, or when you, ask, “Do I have to go to Church?” Adults may have various reasons for not wanting to go, ranging from a temporary need to a more serious spiritual malady. Maybe the pandemic got you out of the habit, or you were hurt, you don’t feel comfortable, or the singing or preaching doesn’t appeal to you.
One day, a man complained to his wife, “I don’t want to go to church!”
She asked, “Why not, dear?”
“Because, no one likes me. I don’t feel welcome. Give me one reason I should go!”
“Well,” she replied, “You’re the pastor!”
No one is immune to the siren song distracting believers from gathering together. Satan has distracted Christians since the early days of the Church. That’s why, even in the first century, the writer of Hebrews 10:24–25 urges, “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.”
How can you test whether the problem lies with your spiritual attitude?
A simple test is that when you are walking in the Spirit of God, you want to be with the people of God.
The immediate effect of the Holy Spirit, when he came with power upon the early Church, was the devoted relationship bond that developed among the believers. They wanted to be together!
Acts 2:42 says, “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.”
Today, if you’re struggling with going to church, ask God to renew your spirit and, by his Holy Spirit, lead you back to fellowship with his people.
If you’d like more information, please leave a comment.
Like, Subscribe and Share! If you repost, please provide a link to this site. Thank you.
