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Many Christians like to say “I’m don’t have a religion. I have a relationship.” Although perhaps a bit simplistic, this is closer to the purpose of the faith (for simplicity’s sake we’ll say religion) than following a strict set of rules and being at the church every time its doors open.
In a day and age when many grow tired of organized religion and seek something else—a more personal experience—Christianity has a lot to offer. In many religions strict attendance is mandated at services and strict religious rites are held. In Christianity, attending church is helpful (and we’ll later see that the Bible asks us to), but not absolutely required.
Unfortunately, many confuse the religion with its participants. They see someone who has been at the church doors every time they opened in the last fifty years and who says that you have to wear ultra-formal dress clothes, etc. Others see this as passing judgment and feel that Christianity is a religion of martinets. No one is perfect, so please don’t judge any religion by the actions of its adherents but rather by the letter of its principles.
The point of our discussion thus far is just this: Christianity isn’t a go to church three times a week, pray five times a day, and read ten chapters per day from the Bible and you go to heaven. It’s a spiritual commitment, not a commitment to a certain ritual or regimen. In other words, Christianity isn’t as legalistic as it often sounds. Yes, some things are sins. Yes, this is an unpopular idea with some people. But Jesus saves you from your sins. Again, these are Christian assertions.
More to the point, you don’t have to go to church (at all) to be a Christian, just like you don’t have to “hang out” with friends to be their friend. Church does help though, and the Bible does instruct us “not to give up the fellowship of the believers.” Just as meeting with friends helps you stay friends, so meeting with God (in church) helps you stay close to Him.
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