“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25).
God wants His children to know the truth from His word, because the truth makes you free from bondage and sets you at liberty. This is one of the primary benefits of attending church meetings; the Church is the ground and pillar of truth. It’s the place where you’re taught the truth—God’s Word that puts you over in life.
In the absence of the truth, one will believe a lie and become its victim. For example, someone may have believed that death is inevitable and can come at anytime. But the scriptures tell us that Jesus has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. In the Church, these truths are not only taught, but explained. The teaching of God’s Word is crucial for victorious living, and the Church is a primary place for this.
You can’t expect to grow spiritually as a Christian except you’re taught God’s Word. This is why the Lord anointed ministers and set them over His flock in the Church—to teach you His Word and impart faith, strength and courage to you. The Scripture is replete with several accounts of Jesus and His apostles attending church meetings. The Bible says, “as his custom was, he (Jesus) went into the synagogue on the sabbath day…” (Luke 4:16). He had been taught from childhood to attend church meetings as stipulated in the Law of Moses (Luke 2:22,39,41-49).
I’ve heard of folks who got offended and stopped attending church services because somebody in the church said or did something bad to them. That’s wrong; you can’t afford to stop going to church. What such folks need to realize is that the church is not a place for perfect people; it’s a place for perfecting people: “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ (Ephesians. 4:11-12).
Personal Bible study is very healthy and must be embraced by all Christians but it must not take the place of corporate worship—the assembly of ourselves together. You have to be in the house of God so you can hear the Word, grow spiritually, and be effective in the work of the Kingdom.
Prayer
Dear Father, I thank you for teaching me this day the importance of going to church and being in the environment of faith, where I’m taught the Word, equipped and trained to be more effective in the work of the Kingdom. I thank you for the opportunity to attend church services and fellowship with you, and with other believers, and to be renewed by your Word and Spirit in the mighty Name of Jesus. Amen.
Further Study:
Luke 4:16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day…” Acts 19:8 And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.
(Taken by permission from Christ Embassy Church , aka Believer’s LoveWorld Ministries , Lagos, Nigeria. www.ChristEmbassy.org )
