Attending church? So what?

Worship the LORD with gladness (Psalm 100:2).

Why are there so many people who don’t like going to church? I can think of several reasons.

When you go to church, you are reminded that you are a failure. Jesus says, Be perfect…as your heavenly Father is perfect (Matthew 5:48). But who of us can claim to be perfect? Every day we break God’s rules—we snap at members of our family, we listen to gossip, we take longer lunch breaks than we’re scheduled for. In countless ways both large and small, we anger God by what we do and what we fail to do. And since no one likes to be reminded of their failures, many people skip going to church because they don’t want to have to face their guilt.

Some people look at church as necessary for others but not for themselves. They don’t believe that they are failures—in fact, they are proud of how good and upright they are. For them, church is a waste of time because they are already leading God-pleasing lives—this in spite of the fact that Scripture says, all have sinned and fall short of God’s glorious standard (Romans 3:23).

Some people know that coming to church is important, but they drag their heels anyway. For them, attending worship is like going to the gym. They see the church as a place to exercise your spiritual muscles and get into better mental shape. But sometimes they just don’t have the energy for a workout; after a tough week, they’d just as soon stay home and relax.

But worship is more than being reminded that you’re a failure. There is more to church than toning your spiritual abs. First and foremost, church is where you go to receive something free. Church is where you hear Jesus tell you, Take heart…your sins are forgiven (Matthew 9:2). When you attend worship, your failures become a thing of the past. Church is where you hear Jesus say, I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing (John 15:5). When you attend worship, you receive strength and courage to face the challenges in your life. And church is where the Savior promises, I am the resurrection and the life (John 11:25). When you attend worship, you are given hope that can see past the darkness of death to the light of eternal life.

Coming to church isn’t an obligation or a waste of time; attending worship is an opportunity for Jesus to fill you with Himself and bring joy into your life!