Do I Really Need To Go To Church?

It is often debated whether a Christian needs to go to church. The way I most often hear it said, "You don't HAVE to go to church to be a Christian, do you?"
My response to that question is, "Well, not necessarily, BUT..." And I must admit that the answer to that question has a whole bunch of "BUT's".

I recently read this statement from the Barna Research group:
American adults who have not attended a church or faith community in the past year are:
1) less likely to be concerned about the U.S. moral condition.
2) They are much less likely to believe they are making a positive difference in the world as well as less optimistic about the future.
3) They are less likely to believe the Bible is totally accurate in its principles,
4) more likely to believe Satan and the Holy Spirit are symbolic (not real) figures, and
5) more likely to believe Jesus sinned while on earth.
6) They are much more likely to believe the holy literature of other major faiths all teach the same principles, and are
7) less likely to believe a person can ever be under demonic influence. Barna Online 3/3/08

If a person, who believes they are a Christian, does not attend church on a regular basis (at least two or three weeks per month) they have a more difficult time with their Christian walk.

As the Bible teaches in 1 John 1:3-6, "We know that we have come to know him (Jesus) if we obey his commands. The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did."

The Christian who doesn't know the Bible, or simply chooses not to live their lives according to scripture is a bad witness to the rest of the community. I have heard it said that "we are all witness of Jesus Christ. It's just that some Christians are good witnesses, and some are bad witnesses." When we don't "walk as Jesus did" in a close relationship to the Father, it is very easy to be a bad witness, and very difficult to be a good witness.

When we don't regularly attend church we have a tendency to live more like the world than like Jesus. I don't mean that as Christians we should be "holier than thou", but what I do mean is that there should be an obvious difference between the way Christian live and the way the world lives. When I claim to be a Christian, and yet you can't see any difference from my lifestyle and that of those who are not believers, Jesus says there is a real problem with that.

I pray that as you contemplate your belief in Jesus Christ, and as you seek to live your life in this world as a Christian, that you will see the clear NEED of being involved in a local church. There you will be encouraged to be reading your Bible regularly, you will be challenged to live an obedient lifestyle, and if you are a truly devoted follower of Jesus, you will welcome the accountability that you will find in the church.

May the Lord bless you greatly this week as you live for Him, and my your life bring glory to the name of Jesus Christ.