“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another – and all the more as you see the day approaching

Hebrews 10:24-25”

Often times, we don’t go to church as Christians because of a few things that we see happening in the church. A major example is the hypocrisy that goes on in the church sometimes.

Also, some Christians don’t go to church due to lack of faith and being busy. However, whatever excuse we have for not going to church, we cannot disregard the effect and benefits of going to church.

Before I dive into it,

I would like to use this opportunity to address the issue of criticizing your church for some of the things they do.

This could be how they dress, worship, and so on. Instead of pointing all those out and complaining, you could leave, there’s always that option.

Leave and go to another church that you feel is better for you. Don’t make judgments about other churches based on one church.

Also, staying at home is not an option. Because a church member wronged you does not mean you should label others as the same. Remember you are going to meet with God not man

It might sound like a perfect excuse for not going to church. In fact it’s a justifiable reason but that’s one of the devils schemes to prevent you from fellowshipping with your brethren and being as one in unity with Christ.

Besides, we all are not perfect and we need Jesus to help us with our hearts.

Below are six (6) reasons you should consider going to church if you have stopped or if you see no need for that as a Christian.

You fellowship with believers

The bible makes us understand in Acts 2:42 that the early church in the book of Acts devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Fellowshipping with believers helps to build and encourage each other (Hebrews 10:24-25). It also gives you the opportunity of having friends that share the same beliefs as you.

Wouldn’t life be a bit easier if you had friends that are godly and give you good counsel?

Not friends that you are afraid to talk to about your faith or friends that would make you feel ashamed for making some of the decisions you have made in your life because of your beliefs.

Where can you find these kinds of friends? You can find them in school, your place of work and your neighborhood but you mostly will find them in church gatherings.

It’s important to take advantage of these friendships and build covenant relationships from it, encourage other Christians and pray with them.

You get enlightened and encouraged with the word of God

You might think you know the scriptures but you just might not. Sometimes, we need to hear it again and again, for faith comes by hearing.

Also, there are different revelations to a scripture. Ever wonder how you have always known a scripture but you read it again and it blows your mind?

“What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up

1 Corinthians 14:26

The church is you and about service to God

Sometimes when we complain about the church, we make it about us; “Sister Jane didn’t greet me today”, “the instrumentalists don’t know what they are playing”, “just look at the hypocrisy going on here”, “the pastor doesn’t know how to deliver the word properly”.

We complain and do nothing about it, forgetting that we are the church. So if we are saying the church is bad then you are saying in essence that you are part of the problem. Now if you are not ready to fix it, why should anybody else?

We don’t pray for our church leaders and members, instead we choose to withdraw and use that to justify our reasons for not going to church. You see, we are part of the problem.

The truth is that fellowshipping with other believers is a service to God, an act of obedience.

“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

1 John 1:7

“They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers

Acts 1:14

Spiritual Strength/growth

It builds our spiritual strength in the sense that we are fed and encouraged with the word which gives us strength.

They say sin thrives in isolation, having a family you are accountable to will help you grow and walk away from sin because you know sister Nneka will ask “where were you last Thursday, we didn’t see you at prayer meeting”. And it’s all out of the love in her heart.

While I wasn’t going to church, I thought I could do this at home; grow on my own, without help but simply studying the bible and praying.

Related: 5 + 1 Tips to growing spiritually: My personal tips I think are worth sharing

Unfortunately, man is not meant to be an island and this really didn’t work for me. Instead of growing, rather I was declining.

Sometimes speaking with that brother or sister and discussing with them can really help you understand certain things about this faith and give you the encouragement you need.

Accountability to spiritual leadership and Godly mentors

When you belong to a church, it makes you accountable to spiritual. The bible says in Hebrews 13:17

“Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with Joy and not with groaning, for that would be of advantage to you”

A church is also a place where godly mentors can be found. You might have someone on TV you consider a godly mentor but it’s better to have one you have physical contact with; one that will mentor you and look out for you in Christ.

Who knows? You might also become the mentor God will use to mentor someone else. It’s important we give ourselves to service.

A place to belong

Finally, you get to belong somewhere, knowing fully well that you have support and that people would be praying for you and agreeing with you concerning things. The bible says in Matthew 18: 19-20

“Again, I tell you truly that if two of you on the earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by My Father in heaven. For where two or three gathers together in My name, there am I with them.””

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Have you ever considered not going to church? What were your reasons? How did you overcome that?

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This post was first published on the Publishious Publication by yours truly