Church open or closed?

Romans 10:17-18 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. 18 But I say, have they not heard? Yes indeed: “Their sound has gone out to all the earth, And their words to the ends of the world.”

I have watched the streams of social media announcing church closures and openings due to the weather that is upon us with the remnants of the hurricane. I understand the struggles of the pastors, the shepherds of their flocks struggling with the safety of their fold. Each congregation has a different dynamic, and presents a unique problem to their shepherd, and the right calls for safety were made in many instances, or uncontrollable circumstances. A shepherd must look out for the good of his sheep, no matter what the cost. I must also present the question of our motives to both the shepherds, and the sheep though, for I grew up in religion, and the binds of it. I grew up believing you went to church on Sunday, no matter what, and that was where you found salvation, in your church attendance record. Does the pastor even unknowingly proclaim that today? Does the pastor put such emphasis on it, they have slipped back into the old covenant, the one Jesus abolished? It is a tender subject, only answered in our pastors hearts, only between them and the Lord, but one that must be asked. If the pastors motives for Sunday’s are pure, just to see one more soul saved, and to grow the faith of the flock, God knows it and I am thankful for your heart for the lost and building disciples. 14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!”

Now to ask the tough question to the sheep; what does Sunday mean to you? What obligation do you feel with church, with taking time out of your schedule to make time for God? It is undeniable that God tells us to gather together; we are not to do church alone or arguably some media based TV or online, for accountability is lost in that entirely. Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. Right there, in black ink on white paper as Adrian Rogers said, is the command to gather together, to go to church, and even look at the urgency of it as we see the Day of Jesus’ return seeming more immanent. Church is for encouraging each other, for worshiping together, for accountability in life’s struggles to each other, for building relationships that will last an eternity. It is about hearing the word of God preached, about reaching the lost, and about building disciples to go and do both. Your church attendance record will have nothing to do with your salvation. You must come to understand that, or you will not have the salvation that understanding John 14:6 brings (I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes to the Father except through Me.) Once God opens your heart to that understanding, the binds of religion are lost, the freedom of grace is found, and the urgency to share it proclaimed. You will be excited to join together with others who believe the same, and encouraged to go out into the world proclaiming the gospel to all that God has prepared to hear. Pastors, you made the right call, I pray for the right reason, and may your sheep understand grace even deeper as a result.