Perceptions for July 2006
Must I Attend the Worship Assemblies?
~Roger Johnson
NO!! According to Webster's New World Dictionary the definition of "must" is compulsion, obligation, or necessity. It carries the weight of one having no choice in the matter under
consideration. Such is not the case with worship attendance. We do have a choice and we can exercise our free moral agency and not attend.
Consequently, we might need to evaluate our motivation and consider the following.
If we want to live unselfishly, we must attend. A denial of self is at the heart of genuine discipleship
(Matt. 16:24-25). One cannot be a follower of Jesus without uprooting self. Honesty admits that pleasing self is at the very foundation of
non-attendance.
If we want to be honest before God, we must attend. Excuse-making is nothing more than dishonesty cloaked
in pretension. It’s amazing that oftentimes when one member of the family is ill, all members of the family use that as an excuse for staying
at home rather than being in the assembly where worship unto God is taking place. That is dishonest behavior. All liars will be consigned to
eternal torment in hell (Rev. 21:8; 22:15). We may successfully deceive man, but we cannot deceive God before whom all things are laid bare (Heb.
4:13).
If we want to encourage others to live for God, we will attend. One who is a stumbling block not only
endangers his own soul but that of another person as well (Matt. 18:6-7; 1 Cor. 8:12). When one becomes a Christian he surrenders his personal rights in favor of the well-being of others. When we claim to be a Christian and forsake the assembly, what kind of message is that delivering to the
non-Christian, the new convert, or children?
If we love the truth, we will attend. It is tragic that some are physically present in the assembly, but
are totally disinterested in what takes place. Their lack of interest is manifested in their tardiness, boredom and indifference. Their
greatest desire is to rush through the worship and get it over with as soon as possible so they can get on with the rest of their lives. It won
’t be long before such people will drop out altogether and they will lose their soul. The psalmist expresses the heart of a true disciple
when he says, "As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God" (Psa. 42:1).
If we love God supremely, we will attend. Nothing is to rival our devotion to God (Ex. 20:3; Matt. 22:37);
not sports, “sleeping in,” or just relaxing. Sometimes our jobs prevent us from attending every service. Far too frequently,
though, people elect to work overtime and, as a result, miss the assembly of the church. In so doing they have not
placed God first. Our Creator and Redeemer deserves unswerving loyalty from those of us who claim to be Christians (Matt. 6:33). Jesus said
the one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is not fit for the kingdom of God (Luke 9:62).
Our commitment to God is beautifully expressed in the words of a familiar song, "Take my life and let it be consecrated,
Lord, to Thee…"
A sincere affirmation of that prayer will manifest itself in faithful attendance at all worship services.
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