Why Do You Go To Church?

I overheard part of a conversation at Biggby’s today. Two men were reading newspapers and one turned to the other.” Why do you go to church?” The man hesitated a little. “Why do I go to church? That’s a good question.” He mentioned how he enjoys the fellowship and other benefits, and then he said, “…I guess it’s kind of like a habit… but it’s a good habit to have.” This man continued with many more questions. Questions about the “sacrament”, where the other man responded with, “Some of those things you do repetitively; you don’t give it a second thought.” He asked about the music and who played what and other questions. I was starting to wonder why they were having this conversation. The first man seemed like he was spiritually hungry, yet this conversation sounded like business. Did the second man not realize that this was the perfect opportunity to witness to his friend? Or did both men need to be witnessed to? “Does your church have an organist?” the second man asked his friend. “Yes.” Apparently he goes to church too…

Why do you go to church?

Has it become just a habit to you?

Do you participate in church without “giving it a second thought”? Has church become simply a tradition to you?

In Matthew 15, the Pharisees and teachers of the law approached Jesus about his disciples, "Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders?” Jesus replied in verse 3, "And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?”

Many of you tend to look at those “of the world” as foolish and evil. But what of those in the church who go to church because it’s always been that way, yet continue to live their lives in sin? Is this you? Or do you befriend these people and make no effort to correct them out of love?? This problem is BIG in America, because this is supposedly a Christian nation… But people have forgotten what true Christianity is. It has become a habit, a tradition, and the relationship with Christ has faded away; Christianity has simply become another religion.

I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people—not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat. What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked man from among you" (1 Corinthians 5:9-13). Read the rest of 1 Corinthians 5 for more.

We, as Christians, are to be imitators of Christ. We are called to love one another. There is no better way to love another than sharing Christ with them. Even those in the church need to hear the truth. So many people in the church have become so calloused to true Christianity and so blinded to the sin that they live in.

“Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Ephesians 5:1-2).

Being a Christian does NOT mean changing our surroundings; it means changing our hearts.

“God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth” (1 John 1:5-6).

Are you a “Sunday morning” Christian? Do you call yourself a Christian yet continue living in sin? Don’t you know that God’s kindness is supposed to lead you to repentance?

“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives” (1 John 1:8-10).

Examine yourself with the word of God and do not be deceived with empty words.

“Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient” (Ephesians 5:6).

As 2 Timothy 3:16 says, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness…”

So let me ask again…

Why do you go to church?


P.S. And if you wonder why I wrote this... This used to be me.

In His Grace,
Rachel Joy