“Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” James 1:27, KJV.
I am curious since I have heard so much talk among people who believe that somehow since someone skips a church service they are denying their faith in God, or perhaps not as true as worshipers as the others.
I have an issue with that.
I grew up around people who were devout, went to church every Sunday, and many of them were very good, Christian people. But some of the worst people that I have come into contact with, went to church every Sunday.
So, what makes a Christian?
The Definition of Christian means:
5546 Cristianov Christianos khris-tee-an-os’
from 5547; TDNT – 9:493,1322; n pr m
KJV – Christian 3; 3
1) Christian, a follower of Christ
A follower of Christ….what did Christ do?
Did he attend a service every week? Was that the focus of his ministry?
“I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Luke 5:32, KJV.
We see him target some of his parables to the ones whom “And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:” Luke 18:9, KJV.”
“And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.” Matthew 6:5, KJV.
I think that church attendance is a wonderful thing! We are blessed to be able to worship and praise the Creator we are blessed to serve, but when we forget the reason why, and are judgmental, harsh and forget what is true religion, it is all nothing.
I was reading 1 Cor. 13 this week. These people had it all, they did all the good things, but they lacked love in doing it. It makes it all null and void.
I want to encourage you this year, no matter what you are doing for your day of worship to God, that you keep Him the center of it. You forget traditions, and worship Him, whether that means you go to a church service or spend time with your family, or you are on the road, in a truck, or on an oilfield, remember your Creator and praise Him.