Ever ask someone why they don’t go to church and they answer, “I’m a spiritual person, I don’t need to go to church.” I want to know, WHAT THE HECK DOES THAT EVEN MEAN? Ask them to explain what that means and they will tell you something like, “I believe in a divine being, but I don’t have to worship that divine being in a church.”

When we say, “I’m spiritual, I don’t have to go to church.” it is like your dad telling you to mow the lawn. Then when you don’t and your dad asks, “Why didn’t you mow the lawn like I told you?” You reply, “But Dad, I mowed the lawn in spirit.” I did that once. It took a week for my “fat lip” to return to its normal size.

Or your mom telling you to eat everything on your plate and you say, “I cleaned my plate in spirit.” Mom says, “There are children starving in India.” And you reply, “Then send them this stuff on my plate.” That took two weeks for my “fat lip” to return to its normal size.

I have zero respect for those that say “I am spiritual so I don’t have to go to church.” I do have respect for atheists. At least they are honest in saying, “I do not believe in God.” If only the alleged spiritual people were that honest.

When the spiritual person says they believe in God but don’t have to go to church, they are admitting that they don’t know what the word believe means. To believe in God means I will do what God asks me to do, period! No debate and no discussion! So, what does God say:

EXODUS 20: 8-10 Remember the sabbath day, and keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work. But the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God;

LUKE 4: 16 When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom.

HEBREWS 10: 25 Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

To say, “I am spiritual, so I don’t need to go to church.” is in no way a believer of God or a believer in God’s Word. When people say that, what they are really saying is, “I don’t believe in God.” They just don’t have the courage to say it.

Believing in God is a commitment. A commitment that says:

• I will love God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength.
• I will obey God and follow His teachings.
• I will worship God on a regular basis.

To refuse to make that kind of commitment is to simply fool yourself and no one else. It is only by hearing God’s word; receiving the sacraments; and uniting with others to worship on a regular basis that you are truly a spiritual person and follower of Jesus Christ.

Looking forward to seeing you in church!
Veritas - Curt