I heard a radio speaker talking about his parents' instructions about going to church. It was all about the command in Hebrews 10:25 ". . .not forsaking the assembling of yourselves together". Nothing makes a person get excited about going to church like a command. Look how cooperative all of us were with Covid protocols. As an adult, the speaker found lots of positive reasons to go to church. It made me think, why do I go to church? The answer is simple, I love it. The people there are like close family. And, unlike most of the churches I attended in the past, I feel comfortable being myself there. We can be authentic with each other and share prayer requests that go beyond superficial health issues and safe travel. I love the corporate worship, which is more than just the music, but includes music. I love studying the Bible in an organized way, based solely on the scripture, not a pastor's personal agenda. A no spin sermon. I love visiting with the people I care about and pray for, before and after the service.
Should Christians go to church? Of course, it is our place of learning, encouragement, accountability, and service. More importantly, it is a place, but certainly not our only place, to worship God. One thing the Lord has made very clear to me through the Old Testament prophetic books and in this year's study of John, is that He hates it when we go through the outward motions of worship with our hearts far from Him. Israel offered the required sacrifices and observed the correct feasts, but their their worship music might as well have been, "What's Love Got to do with It?" And Jesus makes it clear that He hates it when we add our own requirements to God's commands, which many churches do. It diminishes the importance of obedience to God rather than strengthens it. That is why Jesus kept tweaking the noses of the Pharisees by deliberately doing miracles on the Sabbath. He was not breaking God's laws, He was breaking theirs.
If we approach attending church with empty minds and distant hearts, to make an appearance, please someone else, or check off a box, that is not worship. It isn't even true obedience. Gathering bodies at church minus the parts that matter to God means there is still some assembly required. There is something to be said for sticking with a commitment despite one's feelings. For instance, my Dad committed to keep his marriage vows to my Mom through all her years of mental illness, but they did not have a relationship, and that is what God wants with us. What should draw us to church is not a command to NOT forsake, but because we enjoy our relationship with God and with other Christians. At least, that is why I go. God is not interested in checking boxes, He is checking hearts.
