“Well, I need to get up. It is Sunday. I really do need to go to church,” he thought; as he rubbed sleep out of his eyes. He struggled to make the first move of the day out of his bed.
“But then again, why do I have to go? God is everywhere. So why can’t I worship Him here or on the lake. I know; I can take the boat and go fishing. It will be okay with God. I’ll just talk to Him out in the boat and admire all He has made.”
From the heavens, the convicting voice of the Holy Spirit, whispered to him, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is …” (Heb. 10:25a).
That fleeting remembrance of the verse soon left, as the half-slumbering sluggard, drifted in and out of sleep. Minutes later, he again awoke, and continued his thoughts. “Besides, the preacher is not always right anyway. He thinks the Bible is the only source of knowing God’s way. Why, it’s just a book, and probably has a lot of mistakes. What does he know; besides, I’m a good person, and I think I know what is right. I don’t think you have to go to church every time. I don’t think God wants me to stay away from everything that’s bad. I know He wants me to have fun sometimes. He probably doesn’t expect me to be perfect all the time.”
Again, the soft voice of the Holy Spirit put in the mind of the contemplator a verse that was preached the last time he was in church, “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.” (Isaiah 40:8)
The fleeting reminder of the verse did nothing to change the opinion of the dozing man. Another train of thought was chased around in the man’s logic. “Yeah, I’m a good person. I don’t need the preaching and Bible reading like those other folks. I do a lot of good things, and God knows about them. As long I’m not as bad as the others, I’m sure it’s okay with God.”
The Holy Spirit wanted to shout down from heaven, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” (Rom. 3:23), but He didn’t think He would be listened to. He decided He would try one more time to speak to the hardening heart, “… There is none righteous, no, not one:” (Rom. 3:10b).
The verse was received in the half-slumbering mind; but it, too, was ignored. “Well, if I don’t go to church, I can save some money by not putting it in the offering plate. Besides, the preacher just wants my money. That church has got more than enough.”
Immediately, the Holy Spirit thought of the verse about how not tithing is robbing from God (Malachi 3:8-10), but He reasoned, “Why should I tell him. He’s ignored everything I tried to tell him already. He’ll just rationalize it somehow. Probably the old excuse, ‘Well that’s just an Old Testament verse and not for today.’ He has made up his mind to do what he wants and will not obey anyway.” The Holy Spirit was silent to the slumberer, and spoke no more.
Ten more minutes of dozing continued, until finally the man made another move to get out of his bed. He already had formulated his plans for the day. He would walk the dog, get breakfast, and hookup the boat to the truck and head out to the lake.
One more local Church of My Own Opinion had just let out, but there would be millions of them meeting all over the world. It was the most popular denomination. As with most of the meetings, the Holy Spirit’s voice was not wanted to be heard, so He was likewise silent in most of their services, too. He was very grieved (Eph. 4:30).
I am noticing anew the comments on apparel for church. There is no doubt that God’s people should look their best.
What you wear to worship is an indication of your overall mindset toward worship. One person in the comments mentioned showing up to court and appearing before a judge. Almost anyone would do their best in those circumstances, hoping to create a good impression. You might say a person “gets dressed” for court. I want to do the same for worship…not for the Pastor, not for the other people, but for God. I want to appear before him and worship him in his house cleaned up the BEST that I can do…..
Now…for some “best” might mean ragged jeans and a t shirt. If that is the case, that person is as welcome as the day is long..no one should bat an eye at them. For others, a suit and tie and some nice shoes that have been polished is the best…no one should bat an eye at them either…they should be welcome as the day is long.
With all respect to Christian brothers and sisters….I do not buy the “what Jesus wore” argument some have offered. It is used by some as a justification for not wanting to put on those uncomfortable shoes, etc… If we follow that logic, we should get middle eastern robes and wear them.
The rule should be…”wear your best” whatever that is.
There is a ditch on both sides of this… on the one side is the “church” I grew up in…Where the worship service served as little more than a fashion show for folks to strut like so many peacocks. Of course, they were doing it to satisfy their own flesh and to seek the approval of others. They were not dressing up for God. The other side is where people become so slovenly and casual about the house of God that it becomes ordinary.
The House of God is not ordinary, it is not a lounge, not a snack bar, it is a place of worship.
Amen. One of these days, when the Lord puts it on my heart, I want to write on Christian dress. You are right that “dressing up” shows the importance we hold for the worship service. The Bible also tells how a man and woman should dress and appear. That will not be a popular article, i am sure, but it is most needed today as it was in the past.
Its not popular at our church either, but it is right. And I eagerly look forward to your devotion on proper attire for men and women. It is a very misunderstood topic these days. I think the most common question I get from potential converts is “Do I have to wear a skirt”….”No mam, you do not..that is strictly between you and God”….But it is amazing how many end up doing it after they are around women who do. “Why can’t I wear shorts”? “Well, help yourself to them!” But it is amazing how many will cover themselves after they have had time to pray about it.
Regarding dress/clothing for church……if one can make it a point to “dress up” for a wedding, work or other social event, then why not for church? Dress up for The Lord!! Have some respect.
Good point. Trying dressing how you want, when you are appearing before a judge in court. Appearance often gives a judge a first opinion and flavors his verdict. Our appearance in church also gives others and the Lord an idea of our attitude towards the things of God.
Today it is rare to find a church that goes by the KJV and we need more little brown churches in the wildwood .
As for suits and such Jesus didn’t dress up every time he taught .. I believe he wore the same robe all the time so I don’t think it is what one wears that makes a pastor it is what is in the heart . At least this is what an old pastor taught in a church a long time ago as he told us all come all dressed up some trying to out do the others and he was coming in over all’s and he did . You should have seen the shock on some faces ha but he got his point across that it is not what one wears it is what is in the heart other wise he wore a suit but he showed others and I have never forgot it . Another story is a pastor was to be the new pastor well as people flocked to the church that Sunday they saw this man out side in old clothes and looked down on him as he stood at the door to greet them .. anyway a deacon got up and told the church he was going to introduce the new pastor and as he did the man in old clothes walked up from the back and the people in the church seemed shocked then ashamed . So what I am saying it is what is inside that counts . One more thing about dressing up why do people dress up new shoes that pinch the feet , stiff collars with ties that choke the throat and so on then swarm in their seats hardly able to wait until the service is over to rush home and get out of those clothes ? yet if they came in old comfortable shoes and a comfortable shirt and tie or not [ not starched or such ] they would be comfortable to sit and hear the service . So to me it is not what one wears it is what is in the heart [ now I don’t mean wearing bathing suits and such just simple clothes ] . Know the song that goes come as you are with out one plead ? well shouldn’t we all do that ?
A problem modern churches are having is that there is less and less respect for them, and because of it, less respect for the Lord. The problem with not wearing your best and coming as you are is the church appears like any other social place. It is not, it is a place where God’s Word is preached and God is honored. No, you don’t have to have a suit or a expensive dress, but it should be the best you have. If all the farmer has in farm jeans, then wear them. If you only have one dress, fine wash it and wear it. Yes, it is most important what is inside one’s heart, but the condition of one’s heart is often reflected by their outside appearance. We are not there to honor others, we are there to respect the Lord, and learn more what He has for us!
Bro Bill,
I tried that Church and barely avoided disaster. I would not recommend it, no matter how popular.
You need others, you need a pastor.
I wont argue that some might make it on their own if isolated, however, I doubt there is a person alive that can resist their flesh or the world well enough to stay moving in the right direction (closer to Him).
I like your first line of response. :>) We all tried that “church” at one time, I am sure.
Being a pastor, I ‘ve heard every excuse in the world why people don’t go to church! I’ve also heard every excuse in the world why people don’t read their Bible too!
Bro. Bill, I’m kind of in a pickle and need a little advise. I temporarily stepped down from pastoring to finish my Master’s degree in Bible College. Me and my family have visited about 10 churches, and none of the churches teach from the KJV bible!
Most of the pastors don’t even wear suits and ties behind the pulpit (I’m very old fashioned in that I believe a pastor should wear a suit and tie on Sundays). Me and my family finally found a large SBC church that we really like, but the problem is, the KJV is not preached from behind the pulpit or in Sunday School, and the pastor sometimes wears blue jeans and a tucked in button up shirt on Sunday mornings.
Should we stay or go? Am I “nit-picking” the church too much? We are running out of churches that stay true to fundamental, KJV bible believing teaching!
That is a dilemma that I hope we never have to face. The KJV is an important issue. If it is not being taught, one cannot trust what is taught as if the Word is different than the doctrines will be different. It is easy to sit here and say don’t go if there is no KJV, but if there is no available church using God’s Word, what should one do? Staying home is not a good testimony, especially if there are children, and is being disobedient to Scriptures.
Going to a Southern Baptist is another serious problem, as their doctrines are different. For you, both situations, are much more serious as it may affect your getting a future position in a strong, independent church. They may see that the church you were in was SB and non-KJV and pursue you no further.
The suit business would bother me also, but that is the least of the decisions you are facing. I figure that if the pastor will not dress like he is in a special place, church, that it isn’t important to him as it should be. Unfortunately, I am in a church where the Pastor doesn’t always where a suit. Proper dress, to me shows that it is not a supermarket or mall. It is church, and should be respected. Most of those church where dress codes are lax, are lax in respect and other areas also. But, no matter what anyone else is wearing you can be respectful. I have done that in one church, and pretty soon others started dressing like they were in church.
I can give you no quick answer, your problems are real and you will have to pray and beg God to lead you in to the right ministry to be fed at. One question, I do have, is why isn’t the school that you are attending not have a local, independent, KJV … church connected with it? Or are you taking long-distance video courses? There are many independent, separated, KJV colleges that have a local church attached to it. The one we attended did so, and is still strong – Landmark Baptist College in Haines City, Fl. There are many others that have housing for families and will settle you church problems.
I will add your decisions to my prayer list. Please keep me posted!
Thanks Bro.Bill! My wife thinks I’m too legalistic when it comes to these issues. However, I personally believe the church is the bride of Christ and should be separate from the world and hold to conservative values (KJV only, Proper dress for men in leadership postions).
Also, yes the Bible College I attend does have an Independent Baptist Church they endorse that at one time was strong KJV only, however, they have a new pastor and don’t know what he believes. Me and my family was members there years ago, but my wife doesn’t want to try visit it.
We just may have to settle where we’re at for now. Just like you said, I don’t want to not go to church cause that’s not the right thing to do!