Why do you attend Church?
By Dean Honeycutt
Mitchell County
My mom took me to Vacation Bible school soon after I was born. Church has been an important part of my life. Our children were in church very early in life as well. Because I am a pastor my children attended church more than I did as a child. Pastor’s children are “drugged” – they are drug to every church event. (Lol) We are grateful our adult children are all active in the church. I trust they attend church because they love the Lord.
Growing up I attended church because my mom made me go to church. I never really questioned why I went to church. After being saved, I understood why the church was important and necessary. In western North Carolina there are many churches, but are these churches full and on fire for the Lord?
It is a good idea to ask ourselves why do I attend church? People attend church for many reasons. Some people attend church because they think that is what is expected of them or out of obligation. For example, they go to church because their parents or friends attend church, their dad is the pastor, or their mom is a Sunday school teacher. Others attend church to maintain a social status or acceptance. For example, they attend church because people they associate with also attend church and this benefits them in some way. Others may attend because they feel they are gaining merit with God. And for others, they attend church because they love the Lord.
People attend church for various reasons, but why should we attend church? We should attend church because we are in union with Jesus Christ who loves the church and gave Himself for it. Just as Eve was of the body of Adam and the bride of Adam. The redeemed are the body of Christ and the bride of Christ the second Adam. The Church is the body and bride of Christ. Ephesians 5:24–32
24 “Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. 25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. 28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. 29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: 30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. 31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. 32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.”
Just as I am faithful to my wife, I am faithful to my church. A spouse does not randomly come home once or twice a month. They live in their home. A Christian’s life is in union with the church. Our faithfulness to our local church is a testimony to our relationship with Christ.
I do not need to ask my wife to come home, nor do I have to encourage her to be faithful. She just is. Jesus does not need me, but I am thankful He loves me and would think of me and Pam enough to join Himself to us and unite us with Him. Praise God, He loves me this much to purchase me with His precious blood, therefore, being in covenant with Him.
Being a church member or having your name on a church role does not save you. One is saved by repenting of their sin and trusting in Jesus Christ entering a union with Him. Why do you attend church? Have you ever thought about it? Knowing that our relationship with Christ is like a marriage union would Jesus have any concerns about how, where, and when we spend time with Him?
Love in the Mighty name of Jesus,
Pastor Dean
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Pastor Dean Honeycutt shepherds Snow Hill Baptist Church in Bakersville, NC. He may be reached at 828-385-0213, snowhillbaptist@gmail.com, or visit their website at www.snowhillbaptist.com.
You can read more good Christian news from Dean HERE.
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