God commands believers to go to church
Malachi 3:6 “For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.”
When talking to people about going to church, I am amazed at how many different types of excuses I hear. While a few are understandable, most of them are just poor excuses that I seriously doubt that God will accept when they stand before Him – especially considering the price He paid to redeem them.
Many believers today do not understand that God commands His children to go to church. Hebrews 10:25 tells us: “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.” The words “not forsaking” is a command, which means do not forsake the assembly of the saints. Where do the saints assemble? – in church three times each week.
While COVID has changed how often many churches are meeting now, it does not do away with the command. Sometimes churches must shut down to prevent the further spread of illness once it has been found among the congregation. Still, precautions can be taken.
Some people stopped coming when their church closed temporarily but have never returned. The command is still there and the need to attend church is even more necessary today. The last part of the verse says: “but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” The “day” referred to here is speaking of the day when Christ returns for His people – to take them home to be with Him.
Church means many different things to different people. Some look at church as a big ceremony repeated Sunday after Sunday. Others look for a lot of emotion in church. The key to a Biblical church, however, is the teaching of the Word of God, worship, and seeking to know God better. God’s desire for the Redeemed is seen in Jeremiah 24:7: “And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.”
God wants more than just lip service – He wants you to “know” Him. This is speaking of much more than just salvation, but certainly those who do not actually “know” Him will not go to Heaven, according to Matthew 7:23: “And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” The only way to truly know anyone is to spend a lot of time with them. This is what God wants – and He wants you to do it with others – in the assembly of His church
God has never changed in His desire that you go to church – not to be saved, but for fellowship with Him and other believers. Find a Bible-preaching church if you are not already attending one. I recommend an independent Baptist church.