So you quit going to church, huh?
Is it because the kids have ball games on Sunday, or one of your family members works, or the music is not to your liking, or the sermons are bad, or those other people aren’t friendly, or everyone is judgmental, or women aren’t respected, or politics are discussed, or politics are not discussed, or the kids are bored, or there’s no air conditioning, or the bathrooms are untidy, or the other people are phony, or you’re not growing spiritually, or you can be a Christian without going to church, or you can’t stand legalism, or you worship in your heart not a building, or somebody at church hurt your feelings, or you don’t need more drama in your life, or organized religion isn’t real Christianity…
…or some other reason?
Allow me to summarize: You quit going to church because you’re selfish.
If you spent a millisecond thinking about those other folks at church, you might change your mind about ditching the Sunday assembly.
(Hebrews 10:25) “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
We’re supposed to gather together so we can encourage one another. I don’t find it very encouraging to get stood up. Your long list of excuses for skipping could be titled, “Things That Matter More Than God’s Family.”
“John, you jerk! My church is riddled with heresy! I need to protect my family from false religion!”
Sure! You can absolutely leave a church that teaches bad theology. Guess what? Quitting church altogether is bad theology! Dropping out of all churches because of one bad church is like cutting yourself while shaving and vowing never to shave again.
Did you ever know anyone who severed a finger? When that finger was cut off, the person didn’t shrug and say, “Oh well, my body had a lot of problems. That finger will be just fine on its own.”
The church is the body of Christ. If you want to follow Jesus, you’re going to be part of the church. That’s not optional. The Bible doesn’t leave it up to you to decide whether or not to participate.
