This is why we go to church

Good morning everyone,

Our theme for this month: “God’s power in you and for you”

Our Bible verse for today: “When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.” Romans 1:12 (NLT)

Our thought for today: “This is why we go to church”

In Matthew 22:35-39 Jesus reminded us of the two greatest commandments of all: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Everything else God wants of us is contained within those two commandments. If you love God with all your heart you will obey Him and live in a way that honors and pleases Him. And if you love your neighbor like yourself you will be a blessing to others and you will not sin against them. Everything it takes to live a God-honoring life is wrapped-up in those two commandments.

But those two commandments also provide us with the two primary reasons we go to church. The first is all about God. We gather so we can worship Him with others and so we can learn more about His will and His ways. Doing that will deepen our love for Him and it will better enable us to live in a way that honors Him.

And being gathered like that with our brothers and sisters provides us with the opportunity to express love and encouragement for each other. That folds right into the commandment to love your neighbor as yourself. It’s hard to express that kind of love for each other when we’re not together. That’s what Paul was referring to in Romans 1:12 (above). He had love for the Roman Christians, and they had love for him, and they could tell each other about it through letters (or in our case through phone calls, text messages, and emails), but that’s not the same, or as good, or as effective as doing it in-person.

Being present in church, gathered with your brothers and sisters in Christ, creates a powerful spiritual dynamic that deepens your love for God and for others. This is why we go to church, and I encourage you to be there. If you’re not, you will miss out on what will probably be the most powerful spiritual experience available to you all week. There will be great worship, there will be learning, there will be love and encouragement, and it will be a powerful spiritual experience. Don’t miss it!

God bless,
Pastor Jim

(If you like what you’re reading in these daily devotionals and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00 – in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville

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