Going To Church

 "not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another" - Hebrews 10:25

I used this verse to start a BLOG post about understanding that the church building is the place where the Church or Body of Christ assembles. The Spirit of God does not reside in the building, but in each and every Believer. What makes the church building special is the assembling of the Church in that building.

"For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them." - Matthew 18:20

What I did not want to make clear was I was not suggesting that it is not necessary to assemble for corporate worship. I recall a story about Chuck Colson. He was an American attorney and political advisor who served as Special Counsel to President Richard Nixon from 1969 to 1970. Once known as President Nixon's "hatchet man", Colson gained notoriety at the height of the Watergate scandal, for being named as one of the Watergate Seven and also for pleading guilty to obstruction of justice for attempting to defame Pentagon Papers defendant Daniel Ellsberg. Chuck was born again while serving a prison sentence for his offenses. He subsequently started a ministry call Prison Fellowship.

After his release from prison, Chuck met with a man at Chuck's home.  The man was telling Chuck that he didn't need other Christians - just Jesus. Chuck got up from his chair, went to the fireplace and pulled am ember from the fire with tongs. He waled back to his chair and silently stared at the ember until it died out. Then he told his friend, "That is what the Christian life is like for the one who thinks that they don't need other Christians!" 

We come to church to worship the Lord in song and prayer, listen to the Word of God preached, fellowship with other Christians and receive training in the faith. 

"As iron sharpens iron, So a man [one Christian] sharpens the countenance of  his friend [another Christian]." - Proverbs 27:17

Assembling together is important to the health of our faith and spending time alone in the "garden" is also important to the health of our faith. We should not neglect either one of them. 

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone