Hebrews 10:25 – Not forsaking the assembling of our selves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
What is a church-goer? How often should one go to church? Is it necessary to go to church every time the doors open? What is the purpose of going to church? These all-important questions are the subject of this post.
A church-goer is one who goes to church, especially one who does so regularly. The term “church-goer” is sometimes used as a disparaging remark about people who attend church on a regular basis. But if the love of church resides within one’s heart, strength can be drawn from God to never let disparaging words serve as a stumbling block. We must ensure that our hearts are pure, and that God is well-pleased with us as church- goers.
It is essential that individuals assemble themselves in church in order to enter into the Presence of God. Individuals should attend church as often as possible because of what God has spoken to us in Hebrews 10:25.
A church-goer may be a worshipper of God, but simply attending church is not the only thing God expects of us. His expectation of us is that we have a sincere desire to worship Him in Spirit and in Truth and to fulfill His perfect Will.
Sadly, a person can have a life-long history of going to church and not be a true worshipper of God. This individual can be a faithful member in a local assembly but may never have received nor accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Some people go to church, never miss a service, but do not have church at heart.
Going to church serves the purpose of worshipping God in truth and in righteousness. Church is vital because it can create, cultivate, improve and strengthen, the relationship that one shares with God. At no time should an individual be a church-goer only. Why? Because Jesus might call that person into judgement and they would not be ready to die.
Unfortunately, everyone who assembles in a church building will not enter God’s Heavenly Kingdom. According to Matthew 5:8, only the pure in heart shall see God. Although going to church is good for spiritual development, church attendance in and of itself does not guarantee eternal life.
People go to church in great numbers, filling church houses, but how many are motivated to make a total surrender to God? How many have hearts that are pure? How many have received God’s Power to maintain a pure heart? Some are genuine, seeking for the true and living God, and some are not. It behooves everyone to have good church attendance, but one must have a pure heart towards God.
Let’s evaluate 4 types of church-goers. They are the Sunday Morning church-goers; those who attend on special holidays; those who are faithful to church, but deny the power of God; and those who worship God in Spirit and in Truth.
The Sunday Morning Church-Goer is one who attends church once a week; only on Sunday mornings. Due to their lack of consistent attendance they are dying of spiritual malnutrition.
The second group are those who go to church only on special holidays, maybe four or five times a year. These individuals will never become fully aware of God’s purpose for their lives unless they change their behavior.
The third group of church-goers are those who, although faithful in church attendance, actually deny God’s Power. They are empty of the Spirit of the true and living God. They are men-pleasers but never taste of the goodness of the Lord.
Fortunately, there are those in the fourth group of church-goers who worship God in Spirit and in Truth. They are fully committed to the work of the Lord and to the perfect Will of God. We must ask, which of the four types of church-goers is truly pleasing to God? The answer, of course, is those in the fourth group. We must all assemble together in order to worship God in Spirit and in Truth.
Prayer is key: Dear Lord, I thank You for helping me to be a true church -goer, serving You from the depths of my heart. I pray and ask that You keep me in Your perfect Will with a willing mind and heart to continue to be faithful to You, the only true and living God, in Jesus name, Amen.
