Sunday, July 11, 2010

Why Do You Go To Church?

“But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.” Matthew 23:5-7, KJV

The coffee is fresh out of the pot and an added pack of Splenda makes it taste extra sweet this morning. A hot cup of coffee is an added blessing as I read, study, and reflect on God’s Word. This being Sunday makes the reading of the twenty-second and twenty-third chapters of Matthews especially meaningful. Today, people will gather in churches of thousands of denominations, large and small, all around the world. Why?

No doubt most will go out of habit, others to visit with friends, and still others to show off some new digital gadget or trendy outfit. Preachers are no different. Many of them will stand to preach today because it is their “job” to do so, others to be seen or to impress the listener with his knowledge, still others for the verbal rewards of the title – “pastor.” Are you going to church today? Why? Is it to be seen of men? Is it the coffee and donuts? Is it to meet some inward need, a spiritual search, or a longing for a deeper relationship with Jesus? Why do you go to church? Is it the music, a desire to worship, or to gain a deeper insight into life? There are many good solid reasons to go to church, but why are you going? What are your motives and desires?

I would really like to know why you go, so please share your comments with me and the rest of the readers.  If you do not go to church, I would like to know that too!