Stop Going to Church

“In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” Matthew 5:16 

If you haven’t already, stop going to church. Before you pick up those stones and hurl them in my direction, let me clarify. I’m not telling you to stop physically attending a church service. Rather, as children of God, we need to stop thinking about church as a place we go to and start thinking about it as who we are. 

In a conversation with Jesus, God revealed to Peter that Jesus was the Son of the Living God. (Mt.16:16) The revelation of Jesus as the Son of God would be the rock, the foundation, upon which Jesus would build his church, a church that would become a force to be reckoned with. So much so that Jesus said, “All the powers of hell will not conquer it.” 

Church is not our destination, it’s our destiny. God wants you to be part of his church, the real church, not the building. A church building is just another building until we come together inside of it. And when we turn off the lights and walk out the door, the church goes with us. Because worship isn’t just singing songs, it’s living a life in honor of Christ and all that he has done for you. And the gospel isn’t just what’s preached from a pulpit, we present it wherever you go. 

You are the light of the world. (Mt. 5:14) When people see the good that you do, it should be the God that you serve that gets the credit. You don’t go to church. You are the church. Let your light shine, Church. Live your life in such a way that it illuminates the One who ultimately deserves the praise.