A youth ministry initiative by RBC Ministries
where you can find devotionals and resources for youth.
A youth ministry initiative by RBC Ministries
where you can find devotionals and resources for youth.
By Julian Abraham, 19, Singapore
I’m a follower of Jesus Christ but I don’t follow His teachings.
Sounds strange? Ironic? Familiar?
As a Christian, one of the subtlest yet deadliest ways to fall into sin is skipping weekly church service. Why? The influences week in week out from sources like school, friends, television, movies, advertisements, Internet, magazines and books are not always spiritually healthy. Especially considering the influences of the mass media on youth culture. It often connects coolness with smoking, sex, drugs, rock, Satan-related styles, vengeance, aggression, rebellion, etc. In a way, attending church not only provides the right influences but also lead the weary, the griever and the lost to the ultimate Solace.
That is notwithstanding that we go to church with the right motive. Some of us go to church with the purpose of having fun and an opportunity to hang out with friends. Others go with intentions to get into a relationship. Although none of the reasons above are in and of itself wrong, yet they should never be the main purpose for attending services or church activities. The primary purpose should be to find God in our lives, to grow closer to Him, and to grow stronger in our inner man (Ephesians 3:16). So make it a point to go to church weekly and go with the right intentions. Who knows, you might just find yourself enjoying it!
It is very essential for Christians to frequently fellowship. As I read sometimes ago, a burning coal cannot continue to burn alone, it needs to be in the midst of other burning coals and the breeze of the Holy Spirit.
Going to church is not the real issue, it is having the right attitude and personal committment with God, and accepting His forgiveness on the basis of Christ blood, shed on the cross. The fact that you slept in the garrage doesn’t make one a car, so also going to church doesn’t make one a Christian.
Yes I agree that we should have daily fellowship with the Lord, but on the other hand I believe that you do not have to go to church on a regular basis to be in his presence and have fellowship with him. Hey what about people that live in remote areas and cannot get to a church near them. I suppose we can use the internet, tv and read his word to have fellowship with him. My church has its own tv program for this reason.
good day Claire,
i disagree with u on certain area. the bible enjoins that we should fellowship with one another (together at a place)as brethren.
During Christian fellowship we mature in faith by interacting with one another, we share our feelings and are encouraged. This u can’t do while viewing meetings on tv.
I compliment Fayemiwo’s response on the right intentions for attending church, it certainly beats logic. May God bless you
As with Caroline,I,too agree with Fayemiwo’s response. Though I understand where Jeremiah and Claire are coming from, there is nothing quite like basing what God’s blueprint says in Scripture.
Right attitude, personal commitment etc is of course the core of our relationship with God through Jesus yet the Bible is very specific about our need to be in fellowship and building one another up.
It is in being in fellowhip that “iron can sharpen iron” for as people, we are full of failings and forgiveness can only come about when we get offended, and that will be when we will be challenged with our working out of obedience in what can prove to be a difficult area.