I have met people who thought that going to church was optional. They thought that it was ok to go to church, but that an able-bodied person did not have to go to church to inherit a home in heaven.

There are many reasons to go to church, but the most elementary reason is that God has instructed us to assemble (go to church). Paul said: "And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 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."

Now I am not talking about the people who are unable to go to church but people who are able to go to church. Some people make lame excuses for not going to church. You may see someone who is healthy all week but always sick Sunday morning. God is not mocked (Gal. 6:7). God can see through our lame excuses and will judge each of us according to our works (Rev. 20:13).

John says: "For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome" (1 Jn. 5:3). Now ask yourself: If a person is not assembling with the saints according to Paul's instructions, what is the problem? Or, if I am assembling with the saints but it is burdensome to get out of bed and go to church Sunday morning, what is the real problem? Of course, it is our love toward God. If I love God, I will be happy to assemble with the saints. But, if I do not love God I will not be concerned about the saints and thus not assemble with them.

In Hebrews, Paul gives us two closely associated reasons regarding the importance of assembling with the saints. First, it is important to assemble because of Jesus (His blood, the new and living way, His flesh, Jesus as our High Priest, faith, salvation; Heb. 10:19-22). Second, it is important to assemble with the saints to stir up love and good works exhorting one another so that the saints do not sin willfully (Heb. 10:26-27) by backsliding in unbelief (Heb. 10:38-39).

Now think about our attitude concerning the assembly of the saints. Paul said: "And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works (Heb. 10:24). Paul does not say, "consider yourself" but he says "consider one another." Although we are edified when assembling with the saints, our main motivation for assembling is the welfare of our brethren. Each person in the assembly is there to exhort one another; therefore, everyone is edified. The assembly of the saints is unique to the assemblies ordained by men - each person is present for the good of the others apart from selfish ambitions. God has ordained that the saints should assemble upon the first day of the week (Acts 20:7).

God has ordained this assembly for the good of the saints. Those who love God are happy to assemble with the saints in obedience to God's ordinance.

Do you go to church? Have you forsaken the assembly? What do you think: Since God ordained the assembly of the saints and Paul instructs the saints not to forsake the assembly, can a person forsake the assembly of the saints and still go to heaven?