Why go to church, bible study, other church events?

The simple answer is to get together as a church family.

I hear far too often that “I don’t need a church. I can worship God on my own.” I believe only part of that is true.

Last Sunday I talked about true repentance and what that looks like not only for our salvation but for our relationship with the Lord as well. Repentance in its literal term means simply “changing your mind.”

I understand this because there was a time when I thought I could earn my way to heaven. But when the gospel was presented to me my mind was changed. I realized that we are all sinners and fall short of God’s glory. I realized that Jesus came, lived a sinless life, died and was resurrected to pay the penalty for mans sin. My mind was changed to understand that I needed Jesus as a savior. He died and took my sin so that I can become righteous in the eyes of God and dwell with Him for eternity. So I repented in my heart and in my mind.

But I must say repentance doesn’t stop there. Because I realized that when I became a child of God, sin didn’t just disappear in my life. My mind was just changed about it. But it was still there. Paul gives us an example of this in:

Romans 7:15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.

Repentance is to be ongoing in the believer’s heart. Because for the one who has truly repented, we know we are forgiven for our sins and have achieved salvation, but repentance is a vital part in the growth of a Christian as well.

1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

In our ongoing struggle with sin repentance helps us to recognize and confirm the change of mind we have about our sin. But sin still ensnares us.

Matthew 26:41 “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Notice the Spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Notice also it says to pray so that we “may” not “enter into temptation.” This is where identifying with a body of believers is vital. It’s in this atmosphere where we find accountability as we delve into God’s word and allow it to penetrate our hearts. It’s in this environment where we can be encouraged to fight the good fight.

Ephesians 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.

The only thing that can keep a Christian going forward in the fight against these dark forces in this world is to have a hope that when we struggle we can repent. Ask for forgiveness, pick ourselves up, and go at it again or we will simply just lose heart. We need to pray and fight. Not because we are earning our way into God’s grace, but because building a relationship with God helps us to fight.

James 4:7-8a Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you.

And Christian fellowship helps us and equips us to do this.

Hebrews 10:24-25 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 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
And as you attend your church functions remember it’s better to give than to receive. So, allow others to encourage you and encourage others as well.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Hebrews 3:13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. So repent! Turn your sin over to Christ. He died so you can be forgiven. Then as you begin your journey continue to repent. Find a loving church family so you may be lead, and encouraged, and this will hopefully help you to find your gifting within the body of Christ, so that you may be a powerful light in a dark world.