“My parents made me go to church when I was a child.” That’s the excuse some people give for not going to church. If they were honest, they’d quit blaming their parents and admit that they don’t go to church because they don’t see any need for it.
Their parents made them do a lot of other things they haven’t quit doing. They still take a bath. They still brush their teeth. The reason they keep doing these things is that they see social and economic value in them. They don’t see a personal need for church. It’s that simple.
Obviously as these people grew up, either because of the shallowness of their church, the overbearing attitude of their parents, or their own rebellion, they failed to see the value of church that they should have. That’s the real reason they don’t go. Blaming their parents is a cop-out.
What are the benefits of going to church?
First, learning. If you are serious about living a godly life, you must know God’s word. At church you can hear it proclaimed and applied to life. That doesn’t mean you will always be hearing something new—something you’ve never heard before. You also need to be reminded of what you already know. In either case you are confronted with the eternal word of God.
Second, you need to recognize and honor God from whom all blessings flow. There is in every person a tender plant called reverence. The more prevalent it is, the finer a person you are. It needs to be watered by worship at least every seven days. You can best worship at church.
Third, fellowship. We all need association with others. We are social beings. There are some people whom it’s easy to be good around. There are others whom it’s easy to be bad around. If you are serious about living right, you had best make your closest friends from those who have the same desire as you. You can meet people like that at church.
Fourth, inspiration. We all need to be encouraged and inspired to do what we already know is right. We need to be motivated as well as educated.
Fifth, service. You not only go to church to get, but to give. There are opportunities for service to God and others both in the church and through the church. Children need to be taught. The elderly need to be visited. The sick need prayer and encouragement. The lost need to be saved. The outcasts need to be loved. In and through the church that can all take place.
So stop blaming someone else for your neglect. If you don’t go to church, it’s because you don’t see the need in your life. Be honest enough to admit that. Better still, thank God for parents who made you go to church. You are better because of it. Then get back in church this week.