May be we could all just stop going to church

Well, today I hope that every follower of Jesus Christ stops "going to church". [Yeah, take it with a grain of salt]

A while ago I talked to a person who said they trusted in Christ and so "they want to get back in church". And you know, I applaud the desire to do what is right in the Lord.  But, my applause is nothing. I think what people want to know is whether God is applauding them for "going to church".   What I think people really mean is they want to begin going to a building on Sunday and be in attendance. Perhaps they would participate in the singing, saying amen, and listening to a Sunday message. Some people assume that by doing this every week, God is pleased and they get spiritual brownie points.  In truth, it is the church who has caused this myth to gain full momentum in the lives of nominal Christians.  But what's even more true is that God won't love you any more or less if you go to church or not.  And while there is the possibility of more favor being placed upon you (because you are around the Body of Christ where God promises to show His presence-not because God is happy you got up out of a sense of duty to come see Him), there is no condemnation if you don't. 

Now, I must make it plain to you.  I AM AN ADVOCATE OF GETTING UP ON SUNDAY (or whatever day your assembly meets) AND GOING TO CHURCH.  More plainly, going to be WITH the church.  But I believe we have missed it when we simply want to go to church. 

Instead, Jesus did not intend for us to go to church, rather He intended for us to BE the church.  Put another way, Jesus did not intend for us to go to church.  He intended for the Church to GO!  That is, where ever we are, that is where the Body of Christ is.

So, my prayer is that we (I) learn how to BE the church by being like Jesus to those around us (me).