A Christian Must Be a Part of a Local Church

Growing up I have always attended church and I only saw it as a necessary place to visit every Sunday if you call yourself a “Christian.” Back then I didn’t even know what it meant to be a Christian anyway. My mom went to church, so I simply followed and attended Sunday School.

But now that I know God personally and have a relationship with Jesus and know what it means to a Christian. I now know the importance of the church as a whole especially the Local church.

When I say church, please think of Christians.

The local church is a group of Christians who fellowship together. So being a part of a local church is not about the church building or denomination or organization but about the people (Christian), the body of Christ.

The church (the body of Christ) is one yet so big. We have Christians all over the world and we can’t physically connect with everyone. So the best way we can connect is by being a part of a local church.

It’s even more amazing now because many church organizations have what is called “Small groups.” This is the create an even smaller, secured, and comfortable community for Christians to grow, fellowship and be kept accountable.

The importance of fellowship is highlighted in the book of Hebrews 10:25.

Let us not neglect our church meetings, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of his coming back again is drawing near.

Hebrews 10:25 (TLB).

Christian’s are like sheep and wolves in the world and no lone sheep can survive on his own. We are better together.

If you have left the church and don’t want to be a part of a local church because you’ve been hurt by fellow Christians or your pastor. Please remember that the church is not for perfect people.

We somehow think that Christians are supposed to be a dignified set of people who are perfect in and out. But Christians are NOT God. They are God’s Children but they are NOT God. They are as human as you are.

I always love to remind myself that Christians are a FAMILY of God and like every other family, we have people with different characters and personalities. Though born of the same Father (God) and the same Spirit, we all came from different earthly/biological families with lots of issues that don’t automatically fade away when we become God’s children.

This is why we have the Holy Spirit in us to lead and direct us as we work with him to change is from the inside out. The Father (God) also continues to prune us to become Christlike and bear good fruits and all these transformations MUST happen within the family (the church).

God will not chase any of his children out of his family/church because YOU do not like their personality or they hurt you.

He also doesn’t want you to leave and be alone because a fellow brother or sister hurt you. We are a family, we hurt one another, gossip, and all sort but we stick together, confess our sins to one another, ask for forgiveness and grow together.

Sadly, We are often more tolerant of our earthly families than we are of our spiritual family. We do all we can to keep our earthly family together despite the countless hurts but at the slight hurt from our spiritual family (the church), we leave.

If you have left, please come back and get plugged in once again. If you have never been a part of one, you should be. Don’t be a private or solitary Christian.
We are called a BODY and ARMY of Christ. A part of the body or a soldier in an army cannot and should not stand alone.

You can’t love the Father and ignore his Children.
You can’t love the Savior (Jesus) and ignore his Saved ones.
You can’t love the Head of the church (Jesus Christ) and ignore the Body of the Chruch (Christians).

You need the local church and the local church needs you.
The bible says in Romans 1:11-12 that our faith encourages one another. 

For I long to visit you so that I can impart to you the faith that will help your church grow strong in the Lord. Then, too, I need your help, for I want not only to share my faith with you but to be encouraged by yours: Each of us will be a blessing to the other.

Romans 1:11-12 (TLB)

When you are down, you need the faith of others to sustain you just as much as your brothers and sisters in Christ need yours.

Our gifts are also given to edify (build up) the church.

Now, these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.

Ephesians 4:11-13 (NLT)

The church needs your gifts. Through you, God might work on that character you detests in that brother or sister. Don’t stay away or run away.

You can’t be a Christian all by yourself.
A Christian MUST be a part of a local church.

P.s. Not being a part of a local church doesn’t nullify the fact that you are a Christian. Never!
It is, however, necessary for your growth and even that of others.

God bless.
You are Eternally Loved.