When Church Becomes Habitual

Growing up, if you lived in our house you got up and got dressed for Sunday School, followed by Church Service, so I guess you can say that I was raised in the Church. We would go to Sunday, Morning Service, Evening Service, District Conferences, Singing Unions (church concerts) bible study and a whole host of other church events. All of these events were centered around the church, which was a good thing, however even though these events were "church centered" I was not saved. Oh and by the way, The Church of God and Christ and The Baptist Churches had more Programs and events than The AME, Zion Churches. I must say all of this was great and help establish a foundation for me, however when I entered College, I still had not accepted Jesus has my Lord and Saviour. "Once church becomes a habit, we participate without asking “Do I go this week?” because we know something positive will happen as long as we invest ourselves in the opportunity. During the pandemic, many believers switched to viewing online worship services. This has become a new habit. While it offered a positive means of maintaining a connection to their church during COVID, it is less effective for producing life change than attending worship services and other church events. How so? Because part of coming together is considering “one another in order to provoke love and good works.” In other words, the habit of church attendance is not just about you “getting something out of it.”  It is also what you do for others by your presence, involvement, and service." Dr Jeff Lorg, President of Gateway Seminary. I would say, going to church is good, but Salvation, is better.

The Church or Ekklesia: "The Called-Out Ones" was established by Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord. The Bible tells us that, they were first called Christians at Antioch. "Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: 26and when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch." Acts 11:25-26. The Bible tells us that Jesus, Christ, is the head of the Church and that He is over all things in the Church "Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So he is first in everything." Col. 1:8. therefore one must understand and know, that before you can be "called out of darkness" you must confess Jesus as Saviour and Lord. In the Gospel of John, Jesus tells Nicodemus “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God. John 3:3. Nicodemus, not understanding what Jesus, was saying, said this, "What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?” Jesus, goes on to explains the process of salvation to Nicodemus, by telling him that "“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. "God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him." “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son. And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants." Friends to truly become of member of the "Church" or "Called out ones" you must be born again. The Book of Romans, Chapter 10:9 tells us that "If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved." Accept Jesus Today!