Is church attendance legalism?
No, church attendance is commanded — the New Testament assumes you are part of a local church (Hebrews 10:25; Acts 2:42-47; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27).
It is great for me to write ear-tickling articles about the Gospel and then stop there, but there are other commands of the Christian life — "By their fruits you shall know them" (Matthew 7:16-20; James 2:17-18).
Justification is indeed by faith alone in Christ and my performance will not get me into heaven (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 3:28), but things like church attendance of a Gospel church are one of the fruits that I am saved (1 John 2:19; 1 John 3:14; John 13:35).
Why go to church? I go for the complete opposite reasons of being spiritually proud — I go because I know I NEED encouragement (Hebrews 3:13; Romans 1:11-12), and I do not believe I am spiritually superior to the apostles (1 Corinthians 4:9-13; Galatians 2:11-14).
I go to church because, as per the fruits of being saved, I love being with God's people, my family in Christ (1 John 3:14; Psalm 133:1). Occasionally my presence and advice can encourage others (1 Thessalonians 5:11; Colossians 3:16), though I honestly feel I receive more encouragement (Romans 1:12).
I need to write articles like this as some on here are very "you you you," but why I love my pastor's sermons is because it's very "us us us" (Philippians 2:1-4; Ephesians 4:11-16). God does not desire us to walk the Christian walk alone (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; Romans 12:4-5).
"God is my pastor." Well then, if God is your pastor, you'd better listen to His instructions and start fellowshipping at a local Gospel church!
It is great for me to write ear-tickling articles about the Gospel and then stop there, but there are other commands of the Christian life — "By their fruits you shall know them" (Matthew 7:16-20; James 2:17-18).
Justification is indeed by faith alone in Christ and my performance will not get me into heaven (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 3:28), but things like church attendance of a Gospel church are one of the fruits that I am saved (1 John 2:19; 1 John 3:14; John 13:35).
Why go to church? I go for the complete opposite reasons of being spiritually proud — I go because I know I NEED encouragement (Hebrews 3:13; Romans 1:11-12), and I do not believe I am spiritually superior to the apostles (1 Corinthians 4:9-13; Galatians 2:11-14).
I go to church because, as per the fruits of being saved, I love being with God's people, my family in Christ (1 John 3:14; Psalm 133:1). Occasionally my presence and advice can encourage others (1 Thessalonians 5:11; Colossians 3:16), though I honestly feel I receive more encouragement (Romans 1:12).
I need to write articles like this as some on here are very "you you you," but why I love my pastor's sermons is because it's very "us us us" (Philippians 2:1-4; Ephesians 4:11-16). God does not desire us to walk the Christian walk alone (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; Romans 12:4-5).
"God is my pastor." Well then, if God is your pastor, you'd better listen to His instructions and start fellowshipping at a local Gospel church!
