Article | - 11:50 am
The Importance of Congregating in Following God’s Will
According to a Pew Research survey of over 35 thousand USA adults, 58% of Evangelical Protestants said to attend a church service at least once a week, 30% said from once a month to a few times a year, and 12% said to seldom or never attend. The survey also offers more results from various Christian traditions/denominations, other religious traditions, and ‘religious nones.’
Persons commonly referred to as the ‘unchurched’ are people who identify as Christians but choose not to join any congregation. Some believe they don’t need a church to seek God since He is everywhere. Others have distanced themselves due to past disappointments with church experiences. They continue their faith journey independently and avoid becoming part of any congregation.
But what does the Word of God say about this?
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:25)
In his published annotations while meditating upon Hebrews 10:25, Bishop Edir Macedo explains the role of the church congregation:
The physical church plays a vital role in the maintenance and development of faith. When this epistle was written, in the first days following the ascension of the Lord Jesus, many Jews were forsaking the assembling of themselves together (Acts 2:46-47). Some of them were afraid of exposing themselves to the harsh persecution of the time, while others refused to mix with the Gentiles. There was also the bad influence of those who spread the idea that it was not necessary for them to assemble themselves together. However, no circumstance is a justification for Christians to refrain from meeting together, nor should it be a reason to stop receiving instruction and spiritual guidance. It is a mistake to think that it is not important to participate in church meetings or get involved in evangelistic activities, for this is how we interact and motivate each other to grow spiritually. It is wrong to believe that you can walk the journey of faith isolated from everyone, ignoring God‘s determination and despising the church, which is the Bride of Christ (Eph 5:25-27; Rev 21:2).
In his daily broadcast, Bishop Macedo addressed this issue, emphasizing that those who say, “I’ll follow Jesus in my own way” do exactly what the devil desires.
“The devil waited for Eve to be alone before tempting her, and she fell. If she had been with Adam, who represents the church, she wouldn‘t have fallen, neither would he. However, she was alone. The devil waits for you to be alone, to lead you to disbelieve and be away from God, the church, and your pastor, and for you to become unchurched. Once you’re unchurched, see how hard it is to return! You have tried so many times and could not. However, you have the energy to go to parties, out with friends, to the movies, theater, performances, or engage in any activity except going to church. Why? Because you are alone, and the devil has had a hold on your thoughts, on your heart,” alerted the bishop.
Bishop Macedo also pointed out that many who turned away from God tend to blame people who failed them, but the root cause is the need of a genuine faith that must involve trust and obedience to the Lord Jesus:
“Belief is not just a feeling; it involves actions. When we genuinely believe, trust and obey the Lord Jesus, no amount of problems, tribulation, persecution, hatred, desert (hardships)… nothing can remove our faith and trust, nothing can separate us from Him,” he affirms.
Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.” (John 6:29)
“True faith and trust involves complete surrender and a life lived 100% for Jesus. With such faith, you become a servant of God, a Flame of Fire in this world, and no one—not the devil, the world, or any tribulation—nothing can destroy you!” Proclaims the bishop.
On September 29th at 10 AM, we will have the Sunday to Return to the Fold at every location of The Universal Church. This event is a special moment for those seeking to return to God’s presence. We invite you to join us!
For more information on locations and alternate times, please call 1-888-332-4141 or text 1-888-312-4141. You may also contact us via our contact form (click here).
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Translated and Adapted From Original
