Why Go To Church, Part 1

Recently the question “Why go to church?” has been posed often to me. Such a question brings many answers, some good; some bad. Most given answers are devoid of any Bible, or if there is Bible to back a position, used passages are out of context. Examine the reasoning used in this list, which is not exhaustive by any means, but some of the most common responses are listed. The Bible does have reasons for church, which will also be discussed – though maybe not in this article due to size issues. So, why go to church?

1. To get to heaven. Many people reason that going to church earns them a place in Heaven. Conscience tells a person, to some extent, that “going to church” is a good thing. To what level the individual conscience has been seared is relative, but certainly in America the idea, that going to church is good, abounds. From the Catholic, Jehovah’s Witness, Mormon, and most Protestant Denominations standpoint, going to church is a good work from which God bestows His Grace. Not to be trite, but checking our premises is necessary as Christians. Our premises are entirely founded in the Bible, so what does the Bible say regarding going to church to get to Heaven?

First and foremost, Ephesians 2:8-9:

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

As well as Titus 3:5-8:

5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

Both passages state that works do not save. Further, Titus 3:7-8 states that those who have been born again are to maintain good works AFTER they’ve come to repentance (cf. Matthew 3:8, Luke 3:8).

Salvation is not found by “going to church.” It is only found in Christ’s finished, perfect work on Calvary.

2. Go to church for comfort. In reality, this is not a bad point, if stated from the proper stance. True Church is a comfort for the true believer. True Church can never be a comfort to the false believer/unsaved. Understandably, such a comment causes shock. What does the Bible say? To understand previous comments, defining church is necessary. Church, as many professing Christians will attest, is “a/the called out assembly of believers.” Well said, and absolutely Bible-based. Yet the common definition holds that church is a place to go for worship, but the Bible’s definition is not a place, but a state of being or existence. (forgive me for sounding overly-ethereal). Yet, upon salvation, man is made a new creature, and becomes part of the Body of Christ – that is, the church. Church transcends manmade boundaries (buildings, jail cells, countries). It is everywhere local, because the Holy Spirit made us the Temple (cf. I Corinthians 3:16-17). Further, the Bible illustrates that God does the building in Ephesians 2:13-21.

13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.

18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:

22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

A few things should be noticed from Ephesians 2. First, Christ’s blood brought us together with Him (vv. 13-17). Peace is mentioned, but only to the saved, not the lost, who is still at enmity (will return to this thought after my digression). Second, at salvation, Christ’s continuing message is to the Saved far or nigh (vv. 17-18), which illustrates that the message is not for one group here, and another there, but for the entire body of Christ everywhere. Third, the saved were strangers, but at salvation are made fellowcitizens. Logically, if I am a citizen of Athens, I would be a foreigner if I were to visit Sparta. I cannot physically reside at both places; it’s either one or the other. To be a fellowcitizen with Christ, and other Christian’s I must have repented from my sins, and trusted Christ’s finished work. From this occurrence the church is built upon the chief cornerstone, Christ, and fitly framed together – therefore the church is not a physical entity (buildings etc…), but rather a spiritual creation.

With the digression in mind, the unsaved person who attends a church meeting will not find comfort. Yes, comfort may be extended by other well-meaning attendants, but True Comfort is only found in Christ. Ephesians 2 mentions enmity. Enmity against whom? The unbeliever, not the believer. God, contrary to the common unbiblical misconception, hates both the sin and the sinner (cf. Psalm 5:5 “The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou HATEST ALL THE WORKERS OF INIQUITY.” Emphasis mine.) For God to punish sin, he must punish the worker of that sin.

The religious minded person, who attends church because of point 1 together with point 2, will soon be in contradiction. Martin Luther is a good example, as well as the Apostle Paul. Both were doing religion, but could not find peace. Both went to extremes, hoping to pacify his conscience. As both were attending religious meetings, both found increasing angst. No comfort could be found, that is not until they repented of their religious doings, and put faith in Christ. Paul even went so far as to call what he was doing sin, and “this body of death” in Romans 7.

One final point for this section. The New Testament Church was commanded to be unspotted from the world, to purge out old leaven, not to join with a harlot… These commands were to keep the unsaved out! Only believers were admitted. That is not to say that man was fooled by other men, Paul was fooled by Demas, Phillip was fooled by Simon the Sorcerer for instance. When sin was spotted, it was dealt with rapidly and openly. No unbeliever would have submitted to such demands for long.

Other points will follow in further posts. For the faithful reader and student of God’s Word, be like the Bereans in Acts 17:11, check what was written against the Bible, and reject my words for His. I trust that I’ve been faithful to the Word. Please do so likewise.

How Do You Add Up Against the Law?

The biggest issue mankind faces in his life is the sin issue. How are you personally handling it? Let us ask you a question. Do you think you're a good person? This term "good" is a relative term. What I mean is that good  can have different meanings compared to different ideas. Everyone has an idea of good. the Bible even declares that most men see themselves as good in their own eyes according to Proverbs 20:6 and Proverbs 21:2. So, are you good? God established an absolute standard for which one may test himself and see whether he meets God's standard of goodness, it is the Ten Commandments as found in Exodus 20:3-17. Further, God said that He would write these upon the table of man's heart in Jeremiah 31:33 and Romans 2:14. This has been done as God said. Let's take a look at how you add up to the Law, and then return to the previous thought. Answer these honestly.

1. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Have you put self, others, possessions, before God? Do you put more time into other things than things of God? If so, that is idolatry.

2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image. Have you ever venerated objects above other objects to be revered as holy, such as the rosary, crucifix, church "altar", and other religious objects? 

3. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain. Have you ever used God's name as a cuss word? That's one form of blasphemy. How about this one, however. Have you ever called out God's name while not expecting Him to answer, or not wanting Him to answer. That is also blasphemy, and this is a serious sin, that the Old Testament Hebrew was punished by immediate stoning (cf. Christ's claim that He is God).

4. Remember the sabbath day to keep it holy. The Sabbath as such is not what the modern person calls Sunday. The Sabbath according to this verse is simply a set aside day of rest. For the Hebrew it was Friday night to Saturday night. For God it was the seventh day of Creation. For us it is a day set aside to rest and reverence God. Do you have a day set aside specifically for God?

5. Honour thy father and thy mother. Have you ever disobeyed your parents, or dishonored them in anyway by back-talking, lying, disrespectful behavior.....?

6. Thou shalt not kill. Have you ever murdered? Christ took this commandment further in Matthew 5:21-22 when He stated that if anyone hates his brother he is guilty of murder, and is in danger of Hell. Have you ever hated?

7. Thou shalt not commit adultery. Have you ever had sex outside of marriage? Christ once again furthered this commandment in Matthew 5:27-28 when he said that looking with lust is adultery. Have you looked with lust?

8. Thou shalt not steal. Ever taken anything that was not yours no matter how insignificant it was?

9. Thou shalt not bear false witness. Bearing false witness is lying. Ever lied, even "white" lies? 

10. Thou shalt not covet. Ever wanted something that someone else had? 

Now, I have heard people say that they've kept all of these commandments. Christ had something to say to someone who also claimed to have kept them all in Matthew 19. The sum of Christ's reply to the "rich young ruler" revealed that the man had indeed broken the first and second commandments, because he loved his possessions. Further, James 2:10 states, "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all." 

Paul also said this in Romans 3:19-20 "Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin."

Mankind is therefore guilt of sin, because he has personally chosen to reject the Law that God has written upon the table of his own heart, and instead chosen to serve himself. This is the definition of sin, according to I John 3:4 "Sin is the transgression of Law." It is unrighteousness, and all unrighteousness is sin according to I John 5:17. Therefore, there is none righteous, no not one as Paul states in Romans 3:10. Anyone who believes himself to be otherwise, please, revisit the above list and sincerely consider the first commandment, even putting yourself above God's Law is breaking this commandment.

God is a just judge. He many times states that He judges in wrath, which He must, because He cannot, by His own nature, tolerate sin. Sin must be punished, which is why those who break God's Law are one heartbeat away from Hell. Consider a few passages - 

Psalm 5:4-6  For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.

The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity.

Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: the Lord will abhor the bloody and deceitful man.

John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

God Hates sin, and He clearly says that He will punish those who do sin.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

If you have admitted to breaking the Law, then God has said that He will punish you, because you have chosen to break His Law. Notice, however, that God extends a gift to mankind according to Romans 6:23, even though we do not deserve it in the least. He further states it thusly in Romans -

Romans 5:8-10 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

Christ, the Son of God, God Himself, as Christ often made reference, left His place in Heaven, and came down to earth to become part of His very own creation in order to save that creation from sin and the punishment for that sin he chose to do (cf. Hebrews 9:28, I Corinthians 15:1-4, I Peter 3:18). The issue is/was sin, not so that people can just "go to heaven, or not go to hell." God does not want sinners in Heaven; He wants those cleansed by Christ's shed blood, and therefore made righteous. This is the Gospel as clearly stated by I Corinthians 15:1-4.

What did Christ, therefore, teach? He taught repentance. His first "sermon" so to speak was found in Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. The Jewish listener would have understood exactly what Christ was saying, because the Old Testament has much to say concerning Repentance. Consider Ezekiel 18 and Ezekiel 33, much too long to reproduce here. Both chapters talk about being warned for sin, and turning from that sin in order to live. There is, however, also a wicked element in both passages, where mankind responds to God in a haughty manner - "wherefore are our ways unequal, are not your ways unequal" for instance in Ezekiel 18. This is a key point when understanding repentance. Repentance is not just a simple stopping some pet sin. It has to include an agreement with God about sin. One must see sin as wicked as God sees it. He must recognize that his own personal sin is so abhorrent that God will punish it, and that the sinner deserves to be punished. He must realize that His sin was paid for by that very same God on the Cross at Calvary. When that person understands himself in light of who God is and what God has done then mankind must repent of sin, and turn to Jesus Christ in total submission. 

Luke records Paul's specific statement to reveal this truth in Acts 20:21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. It is not enough to just "be sorry" for sin, that sorrow must produce a changed life, because Christ not only died for your sins, but He also died to overcome sin according to I John 4:4 and John 16:33. We will no longer live a life dedicated to serving sin, and breaking God's Law. We will be on a different path, the path that follows Christ. We must turn from that sin, and turn to Christ to live. Have you done that? If not, why not? What sin is keeping you back? Are you afraid of what others will think? (This is pride, and the Bible says that the fear of man worketh a snare. Don't let this be the snare that keeps you lost). Eternal life can begin today! Please, come into agreement with God and His Word, and turn from your sin. Put your faith in Christ.

If you've read this far, and truly repented, Praise the Lord! A word of caution and encouragement should be offered, however. 

First, Christ promised that the world would hate you, just as it hates Him (John 15). Do not be surprised if you begin suffering persecution, whether verbal or physical. Be comforted instead, in that God promised it shall come to those who follow Him.

Second, though you are now on a different path, one of serving Christ, you still possess a free will. Satan will and does do all that he can in his limited power to cause you to falter. He has a large army that includes other lost people and fallen angels, and he knows well how to use them. The Bible commands us to walk circumspectly (Ephesians 5:15). We must walk in such a way, because Satan seeks to devour us (1 Peter 5:8), and we are wresting against principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this world, and spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6:12). All of this means that we can still stumble, but as a believer who has repented of sin, and put faith in Christ, we will no longer follow that path of sin. Christ's shed blood remains as the payment, but our relationship with Him and His Holy Spirit can be greaved. It is therefore our responsibility to confess those sins to Christ, and maintain that right relationship daily. Do not be alarmed, Christ promised to help us and keep us (Philippians 1:6), which is a truly wonderful promise indeed!


Please, do write us and let us know of your repentance from sin and faith in Christ, so that we may rejoice together!