By Shane Kastler
All Christians should have a desire to attend church. Those who have been born again by the Spirit of God will want to worship and fellowship with other believers. They will have a desire to be spiritually fed from the Word of God. And to know and understand how to glorify God in their life by having a loving obedience to Christ. While it's true that circumstances might prevent a Christian from attending church; the desire should be there nonetheless.
Though church attendance is important for a Christian; it should be noted that merely attending church doesn't necessarily mean you are a Christian. Unfortunately, it is possible to attend church every Sunday of your life and still be spiritually dead and unsaved. Because Christianity involves more than merely adhering to outward acts. Christianity is a genuine, eternal, inward change of the heart. Inward spiritual change leads to a new life on the outside. Indeed, the Christian has been transferred by God from a place of spiritual darkness to place of spiritual light. The Bible says, “For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” (Colossians 1:13-14)
We are all born in spiritual darkness. And even if you were raised in church and taught the truth from the cradle; there must be a change of heart brought on by the Spirit of God. Jesus said, “You must be born again.” (John 3:3) There comes a time in true believers, when their “faith” becomes there own, so to speak. Rather than going through religious rituals; the true believer will seek to have a daily relationship with Jesus Christ. On some level, the Christian will forsake sin and follow Christ. They will seek holiness and shun darkness. They will have their minds set on eternal things, rather than temporal matters alone.
Have you experienced this change of heart? Are you living in darkness? Or walking in the light? Examine your life today and prayerfully try to determine whether or not you truly know and love Jesus. Trust in Him and Him alone for salvation. Then spend the rest of your days glorifying the Lord and thanking Him for what He has done in your life.
Comments