Yesterday, Ted had a serious medical procedure. After the surgery, I called to see how he was doing. Luckily, it couldn’t have gone better. His surgery was a complete success.
When I asked Ted what room he was in he said, “No reason to come, they are going to let me go home tomorrow.” Then came the whopper: “But they told me my recovery time would be a year and I won’t be able to go to church.”
That’s when I reminded Ted of my motto: “If you can’t come to church, send your money.”
While Ted has been faithful about coming to church for decades, and sits in the exact same spot every Sunday, there are others who find every excuse not to come to church. These are the people I truly feel sorry for.
Don’t get me wrong. There will always be complaints because there is no such thing as the perfect church. What fits one person may not be the best fit for another. That’s okay. That’s why we have so many different churches.
Where we spend our time, effort, and money shows our true priorities. And if coming to church to worship God and somehow become a better Christian is too inconvenient, it is nothing more than a reflection of our dedication or lack of dedication to God.
There are those who say you can be good faithful Christian and not go to church. I believe, with few exceptions, that is a lie and reflects Paul’s words to Timothy: “For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” (2 Timothy 4:3-4)
While I realize, for the most part, I am preaching to the choir, there will be some who are offended by this devotional. Why is that?
Luckily, the church does not pay me to say what is popular but what is true. And I believe with my whole heart that part of being a faithful Christian means regular corporate worship with other believers.
Jesus said, “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:20
So go to church. I really don’t care what church you go to as long as you go. It will make you a better Christian.
Prayer: Dear Gracious Heavenly God, in those moments when I am tempted to put you on the back burner, remind me of your love and the sacrifice made by your son. Place in my heart a desire to be with you. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Recently, I called a member of the church that I had not seen for some time. When I told him I missed seeing him in church he said, “We will get our butts back in church.” That was one of the most beautiful statements I have ever heard.
Also, I know Ted will get his butt back in church as soon as possible. He knows it matters.
I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.
Tom Robbins
Daily Devotionals by Dr. Tom Robbins 