“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another.”
(Hebrews 10:25 English Standard Version)
“No dejando de congregarnos,como algunos tienen por costumbre,sino exhortándonos unos a otros y mucho más al ver que el día se al cerca."(Hebreos 10:25 La Biblia del las Américas)
Do you choose your church just as you would choose what movie to see or what new book you should purchase? Or perhaps, you choose it by a number of factors such as; atmosphere, friendly people, music style, the level you enjoy or regard the staff, and of course, a good service? You know, that sounds disturbingly too much like how we would chose which restaurant we want to frequent. Honestly now, doesn’t it? And doesn’t that sound like how the majority of us have begun to approach this issue?
May I be so bold as to suggest that this “consumerism” type of shopping for a church is in fact –dare I say it- unbiblical? Choosing a church based on how awesome the music , how entertaining the pastor, or how friendly the “fellowship” is –now, get your steel-toed boots on and hang on so I don’t step on anyone toes- it is merely choosing your “entertainment.” May I propose that your church should be chosen with the prayerful forethought: Where and how does God want me to serve in the body?
The “church” is not a building or a place! In addition, just as many have heard before, ‘Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian anymore than going to McDonalds make you a hamburger.’
I’d like to take it one step further, however. ‘Sitting in the air conditioned car that’s parked in your garage and listening to some good music or reading a good book, doesn’t make you a driver anymore than attending a church that entertains and makes you feel good, determines that you are an effective member of the body of Christ.’
And, as followers of Christ, that is exactly what we are! In fact, throughout the New Testament, we are told that the “church” is the body of Christ.
“Ahora bien, vosotros sois el cuerpo de Cristo, y cada uno individualmente un miembro de él.”
(1 Corintios 12:27 LBLA)
Therefore, it is muy importante that we do not allow ourselves to be caught up in this world, this society of consumerism in which we are obliged to live in for the moment. I say moment because as believers we know that this is not our “home.”
“Porque nuestra ciudadanía está en los cielos” ( Filipenses :20 LBLA)
“Porque somos hechura suya, creados en Cristo Jesús para hacer buenas obras, las cuales Dios preparó de antemano para que anduviéramos en ellas.” ( Efesios 2:10, LBLA)
“No que ya lo haya alcanzado o que ya haya llegado a ser perfecto, sino que sigo adelante, a fin de poder alcanzar aquello para lo cual también fui alcanzado por Cristo Jesús.” ( Filipenses 3:12 LBLA)
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* Click on the accompanying link for information on what to look for when seeking a church home: http://tinyurl.com/choosingchurch.