The importance of church membership and regular participation are in view, today. Rightly understood, becoming alive and active within the body of Christ is essential to existence as new creatures through the ministry of the cross. Only within the church will the full range of sacred elements be available to the believer. Included are atonement, confession, forbearance, forgiveness, healing, inheritance, prophecy, purification, sanctification, meaningful service, and worship. The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Alice” (Level 1 with 6 points, a member since October 22, 2012) posted the following:
How important is going to church?
My neice is 17, and she hates going to church. She thinks it's too conservative but her mom makes her go. In protest she dresses really conservatively, like turtlenecks, layers, completely covered head to toe.
I'm worried she's going to like pass out from the heat. Should I tell my aunt to just let her stay home or is going to church that important?
THE GOLDEN ARROW: For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. (Colossians 1: 9-18, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: On Doing Good Deeds (02/02/2016); A Fool of the Church? (01/26/2016); Thoughts On The Kingdom? (11/18/2015); Skipping Church A Sin? (11/17/2015); A Spirit Church? (04/04/2013); My Brother’s Keeper (04/05/2013); According to the Eternal Purpose (11/20/2012); Henceforth, Of This Fruit (11/21/2012)
“Alice”, think of going to church as going to the cross. There is no substitute for church attendance and participation in a faith community. Necessary communication, contact, exchange, and interaction among those sharing as the “new creation” of Jesus Christ is not provided anywhere else, or through gatherings that focus upon carnal, material, secular and social themes. Maturity of ones spirit content is the goal for Christian believers following their experience of water baptism (i.e., death and burial of ones inborn spirit, with rebirth from operations of divinity that are “divine DNA,” so to speak). The “born again” believer must “grow up” again, and become perfected while continuing to meet life challenges upon the earth. All receive a fresh endowment of inseparable spirit substances from the makeup of GOD that were present in Jesus Christ. Included are faith, gratitude, joy, holiness, humility, longsuffering, love, meekness, wisdom, and wrath against sin. The benefits of genuine Christian fellowship impact the level of ones commitment in terms of the believer sharing sacred knowledge, continuing sacred practice (we say, sacraments), in addition to having access to correction, instruction, and sound guidance. Consider how some of this appears stated in the language of the Bible:
(1.) John 3: 6-8, King James Version (KJV): 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
(2.) John 10: 14-16, KJV: 14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
(3.) Romans 8: 5-9, KJV: 5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
There is far more that could be said, must be carefully examined, and spiritually understood. (For example, (4.) Hebrews 10: 23-26, KJV: 23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. 26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
Washington, DC
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