Friday, 10/25/19 – Tough Question – “Is it OK to skip church?”

Is it OK to skip church now and then?

Wait a minute… there’s something else going on here! Asking if its OK to skip church is like asking “Is it OK to hang a noose from this tree branch?” Or, “Is it OK to buy a boat with the money I save by not eating anymore?” The fact one is asking the question belies some deeper, more urgent issue is at hand.

God has pre-warned us against allowing this attitude to arise within us. Twice in His letters to Timothy Paul warns, “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.” (1 Tim. 4:1).“…the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” (2 Tim. 4:3-4).

The growing selfishness and depersonalization of society, the spread of sin, cults, materialism and unholiness push us toward cynicism, isolation and hardness of heart. This is our world, lost without Christ — a place of darkness into which we have been called to be light.

“…in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires… make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. …be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position.” (2 Pet. 3:3, 14, 17)

“See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” (Heb. 3:12-13).

The nearer we get to the day of Christ’s return the more we must pull together.

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Heb. 10:24-25).

This is what God’s Church is intended to be! A place for rebuilding, encouraging, ministry and worship… a family united by our common bond in Christ.

Recently Crosswalk.com listed ten reasons we must “not give up meeting together”

1. To hear the preaching of the Word of God
2. To participate in corporate worship
3. Because iron sharpens iron
4. To exercise your gifts
5. To encourage your pastor
6. To find godly mentors
7. To teach your kids to love the church
8. To be a light to your community
9. To bear each other’s burdens
10. Because God says so

We are commanded to come together but our hearts should also resonate with desire for the House of God. David wrote,

“My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.” (Psalm 84:2).

Does yours?

Press on…

Got a question? Use the Contact page and send It to me. We’ll search the Word for God’s answer.