Why I Go To Church

I’d like to say that I go to Church so that I can worship God. In fact, after 28 years of trying to follow Jesus, on Sunday morning as I back out of my driveway, worshipping God is still one of my main objectives. It seldom happens. Two eight-year-olds, two seven-year-olds, and one four year old are a big part of that. Fighting like badgers all the way to church is another. We don’t always fight but often enough.

So why do I go?

I go to Church because the Sanctuary for me truly is a Sanctuary. I’m able to leave the outside, outside.

I go to learn; about the Bible, about my Saviour, about life.

I go to be with others who share what’s most important in my life

I go because I’ve grown to love imperfect people. I love people who have the courage and humility to ask for help. I love being with those who know and admit to their hypocrisy and bigotry, their lies and their lusts. People who are brave enough to admit their imperfections and their need for forgiveness have become VERY attractive to me. I crave to be with honesty and being with other Christians gives me that.

I go to Church because it puts me in contact with those in need. I’m amongst the grieving and the sorrowful. I amongst the hurting and with those who hurt others. Going to Church puts me in contact with those who, because of their struggles, are sitting in the presence of Jesus.

I go to Church because I want my children to know about Creator God.

I go to Church because I want my neighbours to know that it’s important to me without telling them so in words.

I go to Church because I want to show to God, in a tangible manner that I can stop making money and stop playing in order to focus on Him.

I go to Church because it makes me want to be a better dad, a better husband, a better neighbour. I also get this desire to be a better person from reading the Bible and praying but being in Church rejuvenates and refreshes me.

I go to Church because I want to be a visible part of the team that is going to win

I go to Church because I love my Lord and Saviour Jesus the Christ. I want to be where He is. I want to be near Him. And where His followers are, there He is also.

“I was glad when they said unto me, “Let’s go to the house of the Lord.””

I love Church today as much or more than I hated Church in my pre Christian days.

I love Christians today as much or more than I hated Christians in my pre Christian days.

I love Jesus today far, far, far more than I’ve ever loved Him before. Thank you Lord Jesus for Your mercy, Your kindness, Your patience and most of all for Your salvation.

Seen in Church

I saw a good blurb in Church:
When our foundations are shaken, we turn to God only to find that it's God who is doing the shaking. Very true.

The Christian's Great Defensive Line

Jesus said at one point that He will build His Church and that nothing, not even hell itself will be able to stand against it. I believe that’s true but my oh my, we Christians sure can block and frustrate His attempts. Atheists and sceptics try they hardest to eliminate Christianity. They waste years and years of their lives arguing against what they claim to be the equivalent of a spaghetti monster. Here’s a hint atheists! Save yourself a lot of energy and just let we Christians destroy Christianity ourselves. If I lived long enough I could probably do it all by myself.

The level of unbelief, born out by how we live, coupled with our hypocritical claims of tremendous faith do more to block not-yet-believer’s attempts to hear God than anything anti-theists could muster. Our depending on money, relationships, power and position to find our worth make it impossible for those outside of Christ to recognise His wooing voice. Our inter-Church disagreements and judging outsiders from the pages of Leviticus while we live under the Old Covenant make God’s love impossible for the lost to experience.

Yes, Jesus will indeed win the game in the end, but it will be with very little thanks to His teammates, me included. What an amazing thing then that knowing all this, Jesus still chose us to be part of His family, to be His fellow labourers, to call us back home when we’re so prone to wander. What an amazing Grace that saved a wretch like me.