JDL - Direction Forty-five - Do I Have to go to Church?

I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord!” (Psalm 122:1 (ESV))

The question, “Do I have to go to church?” sounds a lot like the question asked of the disciples by the jailer, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30). But the question is completely different. The question of the jailer was not one of what must I do, but how can I become a part of the kingdom of God. The question of “Do I have to go to church?” is one that misunderstands the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

To ask a question of “have to” is to ask a question of Law. The Law tells us what we must do and not do. But we know that the Law does not save. The Law merely points out that we are sinful human beings and that we cannot save ourselves. The Law reminds us that there is nothing we can do to earn or gain forgiveness or earn or gain life. The Law either drives us to see our sins or to despair.

To the question, “What must I do to be saved?” we answer, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.” To the question, “Do I have to go to church,” we answer, “Not if that is what you think will save you.” We are saved by grace through faith. We do not have to do anything. Unfortunately, that is what also leads too many of us Lutherans to sitting on our grace because we do not have to do anything.

Instead of asking what we have to do, the Gospel motivates us to ask the question, “What do I get to do?” Because Jesus did it all for me, because Jesus gave up the glory of heaven in order to take on human flesh and blood, because Jesus lived a perfect life for me in my place as my substitute, because Jesus took all my sins upon Himself and suffered and died on the cross in my place, because of all that Jesus did, because He did it all, what can I do, what do I get to do, what will He let me do for Him?

David answered, “I was glad when they said, let us go to the house of the Lord” (Psalm 122:1). To the question, “Do I have to go to church?” we must answer, “No.” At the same time we are reminded that it is not lack of church attendance which condemns a person but refusal of God’s Word. Even to ask the question concerning attendance is to imply refusal of God’s Word. We remember that faith is shown in our actions. Too often we forget that with Ephesians 2:8-9 is also verse ten (“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).). And with Romans 8:28 is verse twenty-nine (“For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers” (Romans 8:29)). We are saved, not for nothing, but to do those good works which God has prepared for us to do, which He motivates us to do, and which He works in and through us.

When it comes to church attendance, I am reminded of the comparison of going to church for spiritual food and going to the grocery store for physical food. If you do not go to the grocery store, you do not get food and you eventually starve. Sure, you can watch about food on TV, but you cannot eat it. Likewise, if you stay away from church, if you refuse the Word and the Sacraments, you will eventually starve spiritually.

Do I have to go to church? No! Do I want to go to church? Yes, Yes, Yes!!! A Jesus-directed life leads me to want to go to church.

Think About
Have you ever said, “I did not get anything out of church today”?. Then ask yourself, “Did I put anything into church today?”

Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Church, for our faithful pastors, for Your Word of truth, and for Your gifts given through Your means of grace. Forgive me when I belittle and refuse the gifts You have to give or think Your ways are burdensome. Help me rejoice in the freedom to be able to be in Your house, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.