Its been quite a busy time here, so I've missed getting back to these little messages. So here I am.
A few days back I had a conversation with a young mother about church attendance, worship, and the participation in the sacraments. In that conversation there was much said about spirituality and very little about Christianity.
The Bible says a lot about human spirituality, but it is much more than a spiritual source book. It is a book about salvation. It is a book about Jesus Christ from beginning to end. Not only is everything it says true, but everything in the Bible is revealed there to teach human beings about the Truth about God, Christ, and The Holy Spirit. The Bible is about our relationship to the Triune God.
What is more, the Bible gives us a clear insight to what God has in mind for we humans as we go about the activities of daily living. He sets down guidelines or principles according to which we are to live as we express our thanksgiving and love for him. So when we are directed to do or not to do something in God's Word it gives us great joy because we are not left to fend for ourselves, nor do we have to try to figure out how to thank God. He simply says, "If you love me keep my commandments."
This brings me to the discussion I was having with this young mother. She does not believe that she nor her family should go to church or listen to the word of God. Jesus ran into the same attitude. This prompted him as the Son of God to make a very clear statement about the subject of listening and following what was heard. First, he told his detractors, who by the way claimed to be very spiritual people, " 46 Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don't you believe me? 47 He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God."(Matt. 7)
Another statement about this matter pretty well sums it up. Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-- and all the more as you see the Day approaching. 26 If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, 27 but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.
I hope I see you in church
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