Bible
Question:Having been saved at age 38, and not being raised
in the church, along with my arduous work weeks in the legal assistant
field, fighting my way to work in the city, I have no desire to get
dressed and drive to church on Sundays. I know that if I went to
church every day, it would not get me into heaven. A great theologian
wrote that the church is for the unsaved to draw them to God and
those at peace with God have little desire for the church. That is
me. Always was. I study and read continuously and love my solitude,
like now, Sunday, with God. I also have a physical condition that
makes my going out difficult and by Sunday, I need the rest of the
sabbath, literally and figuratively. I also have not found any church
that caused me to want to unite with the brethren. I've asked God
if it's me, to show me. Yet today's churches, on site and on television,
do not draw me to them. Do you think I am sinning and/or fooling
myself? I do not believe so. I truly love God, and I know He loves
me. I have a peace in my heart and soul, and since I came across
your site, I figured you might help me. I also wonder why God allows
Benny Hinn, and like belly preaching ministers to continue. No wonder
people don't want to go to church, even me. Can you help me?
Bible Answer: You have a great question because
it opens the door to several wonderful facts.
Encouragement. In a New Testament book entitled
Hebrews, God has encouraged us with this statement,
. . . and let us consider how to stimulate one another
to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as
is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more,
as you see the day drawing near.(NASB) Heb. 10:24-25
The message of this passage is that we need to gather with other Christians
in order to "stimulate" and "to be stimulated" to
love and good deeds. We need one another in order to spiritually grow.
God did not encourage these believers to attend church for the purpose
of just attending church. He wanted them, as well as us, to attend for
our mutual spiritual growth. This was the pattern of the early Christians
(Acts. 2:42). We gather together for the teaching of the Word of God,
to sing praises to God, and to encourage one another.
Mark of A Christian. It is amazing that
God has given us an entire book in the New Testament to help us know
if we are Christians. I would encourage you to read it sometime. But
for now, let me draw your attention to a passage which will raise a question
that only you can answer.
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God;
and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does
not love does not know God, for God is love. (NASB) 1 John 4:7-8
By this all men will know that you are My disciples,
if you have love for one another. (NASB) John 13:35
Conclusion:It is interesting that you are asking
questions about the fact you are not attending a church. Why are you
asking? It seems that you have doubts that you perhaps are not doing
the correct thing. I wonder if the Holy Spirit is speaking to you and
encouraging to you to start attending. You may be interested in a previous
question, "How Do I Know Which Church to Attend?"
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