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Attending Church Will Not Get You Into Heaven

attending church

In the Christian community, everyone talks about attending Church on Sunday.  When you meet someone new, one of the first questions you ask is what Church do you attend?  Over the past several decades, we have confused an entire generation into thinking that Church is the only way to heaven.  You see articles all of the time asking why millennials are leaving Churches and choosing to stay home instead.  Christians have lost focus of what gets someone into heaven.  Instead, the focus is on attending the social club.

As Christians, we are the body of Christ making the Church what it is.  Without Christians, the Church is nothing more than a building.  If this is true, then why do so many Christians put such an emphasis on the Church itself?

Romans 12:5 NASB  so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

Catholicism has led many people away from Christ.

I grew up with several friends that were Catholic.  They believed that you could go out and intentionally make mistakes during the week and repent on the weekend.  As long as you asked your priest for forgiveness, your evil deeds would be erased.  There are several problems with this thinking.  First, forgiveness for our sins in only made through the blood of Jesus Christ.

John 14:6 NASB Jesus *said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

Secondly, you cannot go out and intentionally sin and use Church on the weekends as a clean slate.  The Church does not save anyone from their sins, Jesus does.  To guilt someone into attending mass or a Church service is precisely what is wrong with the modern Church.  I believe many people are leaving the Church today because they are tired of being judged by other Christians.

Do not Judge for not for attending Church.

Matthew 7:1-3 NASB “Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?

Instead of acting like someone is a leper because they do not attend Church, consider this.  Being a Christian is having a relationship with Christ.  If someone does not have a relationship with Christ, maybe Church is not the right place for them at this time.  Some of you are probably wagging your finger at me right now.  Just hear me out for a second.

As Christians, we are tasked with planting the seed, not growing the vine.  We need to focus on sharing the Gospel, not joining a Church.  When you take this approach, you will make it easier for the person to put their faith in Christ.  Once the person puts their faith in Christ, then can they become part of the body of Christ.  When you try to make someone part of the body of Christ that is not saved, it will not work.  Without the holy spirit, there will be no relationship with Christ and therefore no spiritual fruits.

Maybe they are on to something.

Maybe millennials are on to something, or perhaps they are sorely confused?  When you do not have the holy spirit inside of you, I am sure that the Church is the last place you want to be.  You get overwhelmed by the awkward feeling of trying to play along and blend in.  It is always in the back of your mind that people are looking down on you.  You may even get confused by the sermon because you have no idea what it means to be saved.  Whatever the feeling is, our Churches have adopted this inclusionist mentality that you have to be part of the club.

Churches serve the purpose of uniting believers to be the body of Christ.  Good intentions have pushed many people away from Jesus.  If we do not re-evaluate our approach as Christians, we will end up doing more harm than good.  Honestly, attending Church is for believers.  When the lost show up at a Church service, they need to feel welcome no matter where they are at in life.  It is important to take these individuals under your wing and help plant the seed of salvation.  If someone has mustered up enough courage to step into the Church as an unbeliever, we owe it to them to share the gospel first and foremost.

Attending Church is not for everyone.  When you start attending Church, it should be because you want to be part of the body of Christ.  If you are visiting Church to get rid of your sin of the week, then you are looking in the wrong place.  God does not want you to come to Church to wash your dirty hands.  He wants you to go to Church to worship him and share in fellowship with other believers.

 

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