Importance of showing up for the most essential business — church

Published 3:33 pm Friday, May 15, 2020

To the Editor:

“Ninety percent of life is just showing up,” was once a popular saying. There’s truth to it if you add showing up where God wants you to show up. It’s even recorded in the Bible that God’s people won battles by just showing up. It’s more important than ever for all Christians to show up at church. Christians are told not to neglect meeting together — especially as you see the day (return of Jesus) drawing near (Heb. 10:25). More Christians than ever believe the return of Jesus is close. Church attendance could save your marriage and life. Research shows those attending church have a lower divorce rate and a seven-year longer life.

Sadly, churches have been empty for almost two months as Christians the world over have been unable to attend churches because of the coronavirus. Pastors have taken issue with some governors’ decision to prioritize certain businesses over the church. Some governors say they want to open only essential businesses like liquor stores and abortion clinics. Because eternity goes on forever churches are the most essential business. Pastor Matt Brown said churches must reopen as there has been an increase in depression, suicide and drug addiction, likely as a result of isolation.

Christianity isn’t a solitary religion. Jesus said when two or more are gathered together He would be in their midst. Christians need real fellowship and encouragement from one another. The church is to help members bear one another’s burdens. (Gal. 6:2) Without the support of a church the burdens can be very heavy. Jesus promised that He would build His church and the “gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matt. 16:18) In 2 John 1:12 it says, “Having many things to write unto you I would not write with paper and ink but I trust to come unto you and speak face to face that our joy may be full.” Attend church in person so your joy will be full!

Hundreds of churches plan to reconvene in person this month as a community because Jesus still promises to work in and through His church, which He calls His body (Eph. 1:23). William Smith said, “No other organization has the same relationship to Jesus, the saving ministries committed to it by Him, or the spiritual authority to exercise on His behalf. That is why meaningful membership is mandatory. Once you’ve found an expression of the true church (where Jesus and the Bible are the highest authority) join it, enthusiastically support its worship and work, welcome its oversight and help maintain its purity and unity. Don’t expect to receive or grow in salvation outside the church.” God has given us no substitutes for the church, therefore, we must accept no substitutes!

In his “Democracy in America,” Alexis de Tocqueville wrote in 1835 a penetrating study of American society and of the powerful impact of Christianity upon America’s success. “I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her commodious harbors and her ample rivers, and it was not there; in her fertile fields and boundless prairies, and it was not there; in her rich mines and vast world commerce, and it was not there. Not until I went to the churches of America and heard her pulpits aflame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because she is good and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.”

D.D. Nave

Elizabethton