I really had to adjust mentally not being able to attend
church regularly for the past nine months. I didn’t notice the time passing by
so quickly, being busy setting order in my home as a caregiver. I got a lot of things done, like preparing
dinner while watching the service on our computer. I didn’t have to dress up or take the rollers
out of my hair if I didn’t want to.
Then my soul hit a brick wall. It began to miss hearing the Word in person. I
missed the faces I’d pass in the hall and the random words of encouragement I’d
receive. I missed sitting in the
fellowship hall after 8am service to drink coffee and laugh and fellowship with
friends. Then the thought came that I’m
not saved or a Christian any more cause I wasn’t going to church.
But I had a revelation, at least for myself, on this very
concept that I’d like to share. Is it
the fact you go to church that makes you a Christian? Attendance is not good alone; remember the
Pharisees and Scribes attended church religiously and they crucified Christ.
That led me to my next thought. If it’s not by my church attendance, how is
someone to know I’m a Christian? Many of
you who are older remember the game show, What’s My Line. There would be a contestant that appeared
before a panel of judges or celebrities who would hear different facts about
the individual. After a given number of
clues, they’d try to guess the occupation or special ability of the person.
If our characteristics were listed, would attendance to
church be the only identifier we were a Christian? Would the list name some of the weightier
things that Christ considered important characteristics of His followers? He showed us by the things He did in His life
that mattered. He was kind, honest, helped
the needy, visit the sick, feed the hungry, encourage the brothers and sisters
in Christ, and yes, fellowship with each other. We should be upright and law
abiding citizens.
Church is where we go to learn how to be a Christian and
the world is our proving ground that we learned the lesson. Church attendance is crucial to those wanting
to be Christians. The scripture says
that we should let our light shine so that men can see our good works and
glorify our Father which is in Heaven (Matthew 5:16). Jesus compares the Christian to salt. Just as natural salt has no effect if it
stays in the box with other salt granules; neither will the Christian fulfill
the purpose of God in their lives among the world.
Do those you meet see a character and demeanor that glorifies
God or are they guessing what’s your line?
Are people glad when you leave the room rather than waiting for you to
enter, seeing your presence as a light after a blackout?
The purpose of Church and our attendance isn’t to just
gather or become a mere social club.
Church should prepare us to have impact in our neighborhoods,
communities, and the stranger’s lives we meet.
I don’t know about you, I want it to be clear for those I
meet, what my line is and that I’m a Christian.
Not just because I attend church but because of the Christ-like
tendencies I exhibit from what I learned at church. Join me, won’t you?
