In answering this week’s question, we are going to start by explaining what exactly it means to be saved. Salvation is based entirely on Jesus Christ dying on the cross and rising from the dead to deliver us from our sins (John 3:16, Corinthians 15: 1-4). To become a Christian, you have to make the personal decision to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and saviour and receive him into your heart by faith. Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us that this is purely an act of Grace received by faith. Once you have accepted Christ, you believe in Him and believe in His word which commands us in Hebrews 10:25 to not forsake the gathering of His people.
The church is a place to exercise and grow our faith through discussion and influence (Proverbs 27:17) and share our burdens with others (Galatians 6:2). Going to church immerses us in a community of support, encouragement and ministry with people that are on the same quest as us towards grace and redemption. The moment you got saved, you were adopted into a family, not to stand alone. You have not chosen your brothers and sisters in Christ but they are your family and you are called to love them. God’s intention is for us to be in a family and this is why it is important to have to go to church. This has always been God’s plan for our lives.
It is not just important that you go to church but that you are active in the church. We should go to church and want to be a part of the church. A lot of people see the church as a place that they go to get something out of as opposed to a place that they should go to be immersed in. The church needs you. You’ve got gifts, experiences and testimonies that someone in the church can benefit from. It is important to get involved in a church that is committed to teaching the bible so you can experience the blessing of true authentic and genuine community. Community is important and it is also important to go to church to be able to be surrounded by people in times when you are both strong and weak. The church can provide care and counsel when you need it. It is also a place where you can grow spiritually through small groups and congregational sermons. The church is also a great place to make personal and professional connections to grow in your personal and professional life.
It is also important to stay in one church. You need to be rooted in one place surrounded by people that you can minister to and get ministered to. You are never going to find the perfect church or perfect pastor – the same way you are never going to find the perfect person. So instead of going from one church to another in pursuit of this perfect image of church you have in your mind, find a place where the word of God is honoured and christ is exalted and where the leaders are trustworthy and stay there. You are not perfect and that place is not perfect. Learn to be rooted.
Whoever loves God, loves His people and whoever loves His people would want to be in fellowship with them. You cannot exist in isolation, so find a group of people you can love and serve and minister to and be a loyal part of that community. Do not be in a hurry to leave unless you know the word of God is being compromised in the teaching or the lifestyle of the people.
You cannot grow in isolation, God designed spiritual growth to be enhanced through the Christian community. There will always be an imbalance when you attempt to live through life in isolation. As you encounter Jesus, you are introduced to a larger community of believers that help you develop the confidence to begin living a life of transformation, and understand the culture of the kingdom.
Till next time,
Remember that you have been adopted into a family