“Get in the box God”
By Stan ButlerLately, it seems I’m having more conversations with people who lay claim to the title of being a Christian (literally: follower of Christ), but during the course of the conversation when I ask, “Where do you attend church,” they reply, “Oh, I don’t go to church. I’m not religious, but I consider myself very spiritual.” They want no claim or affiliation to “organized religion” even though the scriptures mention the term “religion” five times and the term “religious” twice, and each and every time in a positive context.
And why wouldn’t the Lord’s church be organized, and in fact, well organized? There are leadership roles to be filled, services to be held, missions to be tended to, prayers to be offered, unified singing and teachings to take place, and much more. All this is to be accomplished in an orderly and organized manner in which the leaders will be held accountable for overseeing.
These “independent” but not religious Christians find the Bible to be a perfect instruction book only when they egregiously reinterpret it and force it to fit their own theology. As long as God is in their box, they feel at ease with their situation. But when shown that they in fact need to get into God’s box…they balk. They insist that church attendance is not necessary to have a relationship with and/or to please God. I find that scripture teaches to the contrary. Let’s put to the test if a person can fulfill God’s wishes by setting in a boat somewhere on a beautiful sunny Sunday morning “at one with the Creator,” or sitting on a back patio with a good cup of coffee and their Bible, or some other like scenario instead of being in a church assembly with other Christians on the Lord’s Day.
For starters, in Hebrews 10:25; we read, “Not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together.” This statement alone should be reason enough to silence all excuses, reasonings, and alibis for not being in a fellowship with other Christians on the Lord’s Day. How many times does God have to say something before we are to believe it? It is written in the form of a command, not a request, but here is where these “independent Christians” start saying, “Get in the box God.”
For the most part, they just ignore Hebrews 10:25 as though the passage doesn’t exist. They tell others how much they love and serve God…they just fail to mention how they live in total disobedience to many of the commands that are in His Covenant, and so in their disobedience, they defiantly tell the Almighty… “Get in the box God.” The usual excuse for not attending church is that they don’t want to worship with hypocrites. This excuse doesn’t hold a lot of water because these “independent Christians” buy their gas at the same service stations, buy their food at the same grocery stores, and dine out in the same restaurants these hypocrites do. Some even work directly with them in the work place. They mingle and manage to live with them six days a week in every scenario imaginable but can’t tolerate to worship with them for a couple hours on the Lord’s Day. Perhaps the God in their box will have a special place in heaven just for them where they can spend eternity away from all the fellowship and jubilant rejoicing of the forgiven saints who were once “hypocrites” but washed in the blood of the Lamb.
Many of these “independent Christians” have been lied to, lied about, been wrongfully accused, mistreated, abused, had their reputation harmed and decided to separate themselves from “organized” religion. I have had every instance mentioned above happen to me. I felt like leaving and getting as far as I could from “these” people, but keep in mind that “these” people are God’s elect even though imperfect. So let’s look at what God has to say about these situations and the reasons I had to “buck up” and remain in His box:
Matthew 6:15; "If you forgive not men their trespasses neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." This scripture doesn’t exist for them, because these “independent Christians” believe that they are being forgiven on a daily basis even though they have not forgiven those that have trespassed them. “Get in the box God.”
Matthew 5:44; "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you." “Independent Christians” need to start loving, blessing, and praying for those they feel have wronged them. Putting distance between themselves and an “organized religion” problem while expecting God to love, bless and answer their prayers is just another way of saying, “Get in the box God.”
Jesus commanded throughout the New Covenant that we Christians “Love one another.” How is it showing love to separate and refuse to fellowship with the body of Christ? How would your immediate earthly family feel if you were to say you love them, but refuse to fellowship with them at family gatherings? Actions speak much louder than words. “Get in the box God.”
Here is a short and incomplete list of things which God mandates that an “independent Christian” should do but cannot fulfill by absenting themselves from church services:
Hebrews 10:25; exhort one another. “Get in the box God."
Acts 20:7; take Communion with others. “Get in the box God.”
Acts 2:42; fellowship with others. “Get in the box God.”
Acts 2:42; be steadfast as a part of the body of Christ. “Get in the box God.”
1 Corinthians 16:1; bring ones gifts as God has prospered. “Get in the box God.”
Acts 2:42; join others in prayer. “Get in the box God.”
Colossians 3:16; teach and admonish one another through singing. “Get in the box God.”
The list could go on and on. I think you can see the harm they do to themselves and the body of Christ by their act of sovereignty. Where would the church be if everyone followed their example of separation? They worship and serve a God…but it’s a God of their own making, NOT the God of the Bible. There is just no defense for one of His followers to separate themselves from a body of other imperfect believers and attempting to be a church in/of/and by themselves. Throughout the New Covenant there are mentions of churches in various cities in the first century and no mention that anyone has the right to separate because of hurt feelings and other frivolous reasons.
God has given us His instruction on worship, and we are instructed to worship Him as a church (assembly) on the first day of every week. He tells us as both leaders and individuals how to deal with any problems that arise. To venture off and declare ourselves sovereign from His body (the church) is to manufacture a God of our own making, and He has told us that we are to have no other Gods but Him, and on His terms. Any attempt to make Him something that He is not is to say, I’ve got a box over here God and you’ll fit in it very nicely…now “Get in the box God.”
I wish to express my gratitude to Michael, a “brother in Covenant”, who is my corrective grammarian.
51 comments:
I, too, grieve when others say they just don't have time for church.
There are those that do not attend church because they are intimidated by some from the church. There are those that are homebound and not able to go to church. There are those that work on Sundays. There are many reasons people don't go to church, but they can still get involved in churches on television and churches on the radio. God's Word is everywhere unless you have closed up your ears to hearing it.
How do you teach your children, if You have never heard it?
GOOD POST
My first thought is "where two or more are gathered..." I believe that participation in a faith community is an essential aspect of following Christ. After his baptism and time in the desert, the first thing he did in his public life was to form a community. Ministry is best done out of a faith community - a community that can encourage and challenge, all in love, all in Christ and the Holy Spirit.
Something too many don't realize is that as you mentioned church isn't just for our own benefit but for encouraging each other, and the need gets worse as we get closer to the Lord's return according to Hebrews 10:25. They are actively hindering God's work by deliberately refusing to obey.
Great post.
I'm not sure they all ignore all those things, and I do remember being taught that church is people, not buildings. As to Biblical use of the word "religion," it's used in translation and may not agree with modern usage. But the reminder that we can't follow without accompanying other followers is wise and timely.
Well said I've felt the same way about this recently.
I don't want to argue with you, but I do want to give another side to the story. Christians compel others to work on Sundays because they want to go to restaurants and cafes and grocery stores after church. I used to be in the position of "you want this job, you work on Sunday mornings". The after-church crowd, rather than being apologetic about compelling me to work on Sunday mornings, was a rude, demanding group who didn't tip. They were the customers the waitstaff dreaded. That was a long time ago. I no longer have to work to pay the rent, but stay home w/ my kids.
More recently, however, my husband was in an EMT position in which he had to work most Sundays. Because of that, we attended a Bible study on Friday nights with a group of Christian friends. But that sort of gathering together is never good enough for other Christians, who generally felt it was necessary to tell us we weren't living right because we didn't attend an organized church. You know what? We did the best we could to gather together with other Christians as a family unit.
I'm sorry this comment is so long. I'm just trying to show that there is always another side to the story. Could I have found another job back in the days when I worked Sundays? Maybe. But that doesn't waive the responsibility Christians have of not compelling others to work on Sundays. As for my husband, God provided him a M-F job, and we now attend church regularly.
"Pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace, with those that call upon the Lord out of a pure heart", 2 Timothy 2: 22.
But the test can be - who are "those"?
Congratulations on the text! I really enjoyed it! I was pondering this on my lunch break, over time to insulate themselves with God, because I'm wanting to stay a step further still and silent, but while being in communion. We are members of the Body, and a member does not work alone. My pastor always says, "will soon be alone, but together they go further. " And there's that verse about outor be better than a two, because if one falls the other helps him up. The family of Christ is essential in our journey and our spiritual health. God bless! (Forgive me if any mistake, because I am using a translator. I hope soon to learn English and to communicate without needing help.)
@ Jill...I hope I left readers with the opinion that I was talking about those who CHOOSE to absent themselves from a body of believers i.e. boaters, patio setters, those with "hurt feelings etc...not those compeled to work.
Great Point and Post
After reading your blog, I can see the concern that you have. However, one must remember, the excuses that people give for not attending a church service-or following Christ, is not new to God or the bible, see Luke 9:57-62. Also, if ministry is true from your heart and not from a critical point of view, then once you minister the word of God to that person(s), afterwards, in your private time, pray to the Father God that He will give them a "pliable heart to recieve. In 1Corin. 3:6-7 Paus states: "I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase." The Lord is the one that draws a person and he gets the increase. Yes, I do understand your plight, and Evangelism is necessary. Keep planting, and allow someone else to water, and God will get the increase. Frustration should not be your portion!
An interesting post..I have been guilty of putting God in a box myself..just not of this particular kind. I have found that God never stays there though and just busts through all my boxes..yay! Let's pray for God's grace and mercy to be shown to these people 'cos it's not our place to judge them but to love them into fellowship again.
Hello Stan, I agree absolutely!!
How can you be a part of the body of Christ if only the hand or the foot?? The Body needs to be complete and thats in, assembling together..Every single part....otherwise we can't operate properly.
Who can say they are married and then go live far away from their partner forever?? It would never work...
No God does not belong in a box...He is too big for that, and too big for many people with small mind mentality. God Bless.
God knows the intent of the christian who goes to "church" and the christian who does not go to "church" ... Thank God they believe in Jesus Christ and He is the perfect example of love and judge. Praying for both sides is the best... You never know what people are going through behind closed doors so it.s best not to judge but to love as Jesus would and pray for those individuals into fellowship. It.s way too many hurt christians and non christians. . . I.m just sayin' . . .
Very nice post and amen.
Thank you for your service to our country and we covet your prayers for our son doing the same.
Many are called but few are chosen
Spiritual leaders are discredited unfortunately.
This is my opinion.
hugs
Erlon from Brasil
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE...TRUE LOVE.
THAT'S MY GAIN AGAIN FROM THIS PIECE.THANKS FOR THE REMINDER
Recently I heard someone say they did not want to attend church and sit beside hypocrits. They went on and on about the sins of others in the church. When they finished talking I asked them would they rather sit by a hypocrit in church or not be in church at all. They did not have an answer. God bless you.
When people criticize the modern churches they know they forget that the New Testament letters would not have been written if the early church was not full of hypocrites and any other category you want to mention. All the letters are responses to real live issues. All the answers are also still alive in our hearts.
Good thoughts.
Grace and Peace
Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by him all that believe are justified of all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.
A very good post -- and the comments really are, too. The fellowship of gathering together allows us to work as the body of Christ, fulfilling His plan. He doesn't really need us, though we need Him. Enlargement and deliverance He can provide from another place, as we're told in Esther 4:14. It's so much better for us to be within His will, and that includes being with believers in worship.
Great topic! I have heard the same excuse before. They claim to not go to church because of all the hypocrites and liars that attend. If I am not mistaken Jesus came for the sick. Church is a spiritual hospital. Who goes to a hospital and runs out in shock because there are sick people in there? I feel that the root of that behavior is pride. For some reason you may think that you are better then these hypocrites and liars when we are all a mess without Jesus.:)
I have heard that criticism before--when one adresses the postmodern context. As a reactionary -- i have no wish to go to churches dying from lack of interest or fine myself at the postmodern Baal of the Megachurch. You may concider me a bit of a transcendentalist. When i do attend a church it is largely attended by the elderly--of wich i welcome and wouldn't not have it any other way. Also i go to sing hymns--not to meet the next man's approval.
GREAT but I would add:
Keep gods commandments, Get in the box
the Ten not the 9 and the ten he wrote not the catholic ten
and fellowship can not be replaced
stay in a church
You are very passionate about the Lord and I hope you never lose that zeal. As a writer myself, I try to be aware of sounding too judgemental and critical but you know what, someone will always find offense, especially when it comes to the word of God. The truth isn't always warm and fuzzy but if we keep it real with God, then we have done our job.
Thank you for looking at my Blog, I am now following yours, you can follow mine by clicking the following widgit on the Bottom Left hand part of my blog...thank you!
This post is extremely hard hitting. We are not justified by the law. I suppose my recent connect with supreme legalism in a Christian cult I won't mention, has me over washed with zeal against those who feel God lives in a building. For God does not live in buildings. 2 Corinth 5:For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
Yet, this scripture can not and does not mean we are to neglect fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ for it is Gods mandate and command that we do so.
But the times grow more evil. From where I sit, 200 churches in New York have signed documents approving gay marriage. I'm in NY. The pastor of a church nearby was convicted of embezzling church funds. Though we have all come short of God's glory and are hypocrites in our various ways, not only did Christ die for us who are un-Godly but the above extreme and heretic circumstances would merit leaving a church.
But again, we are not to forsake fellowship and worhip. I forsee that the House church of worship will become more appropriate for those faced with increasing heresy in the church.
But again,we are to actively follow the scrptures you have laid out. Hypocrisy of members is a mute point for we are all guilty of this.
So, yes! Let us not but God in a box. At the same time we are to watch, pray and examine whether we are in the faith-as Apostle Paul admonishes us to do.
Interesting post and some interesting comments too. You address a thorny subject in a thoughtful and zealous fashion :)
Boa tarde amigo, passei para desejar que sua semana seja uma soma de realizações, abraços. “O tempo presente é tão fugaz que não é percebido até que se transforme no minuto anterior, chamado passado”.
I'm actually one of the charlatans you castigate on this post, and here I will defend myself, but please be sure I'm not starting a full on debate.
I don't call myself a Christian or a person OF faith. I just say I have faith. For 18 years I was baptized and raised a Catholic, with the quotidian religious teachings and weekly Sunday masses. From that experience, I came to realize that not everything in the Bible is meant to be taken literally (MY view on it) especially since there are many allegorical morals and outdated expectations. Instead, it should be taken like most other ancient stories, as a sort of aphorism to learn from and take into your individuality.
I understand that you feel strongly because of the evidence printed on the scriptures, but even during the Middle Ages, at the height of Catholicism, many people found it impossible to rationalize faith completely with what the scriptures have left us. I take what I can and let it build upon me. I don't let it control who I am in anyway.
So when I attend mass and listen to the homily, I don't just absorb what the priests say. I listen and interpret for myself what lessons I can learn. God gave us minds to think not minds to give away and to be brainwashed. Because despite how beautiful religion is, there are people who (for better or for worse) take advantage and brainwash others.
I'm not saying everyone should be like me or take my example. If I did, then how is that any different from me differentiating myself from an established religion? When the scriptures say to worship as a whole, I'm sure they mean as one race dedicated to loving each other and following the example of Jesus Christ, not to bureaucratize, which is what most institutions do.
I believe that many people have been hurt by their church experience or are only exposed to myths about the church and never really spend time searching for the right church for them. I love my church and I know that it is where I am suppose to be to use my gifts and talents. If you don't go to church, begin to pray and ask God to send you to the church that is right for you.
Some churches are not of God. People may find more church on your blog than in their church believe it or not. Don't be surprised if people learn more from you just blogging. God see you, and what you are doing counts. You may be leading a soul to heaven. Something that some churches don't do. God does not work the same way all of the time. Also keep that in mind.
Nicely done, although I am sure there are those who say I do fellowship with other believers (my spouse, my children, my friends, etc.). There are lots of excuses for disobeying. May God use this thought-provoking piece to bring someone back to fellowship, both with God and the Church which Christ is building and against which the gates of Hell will not prevail.
nice posting sir.. too many people think that they are very faith but lost it...
To address the growing secularism that is biting off chunks of the Western world we need to, however, rethink Christianity, and one of the things we need to rethink is the church. I only wish for the spread of Christianity throughout the world, but a big hindrance that intimidates nonreligious people to come to our faith is the commitment to attend church. We need to stress that the main point about Christianity is not coming to church, but rather the acceptance of the free gift that God has so mercifully given us. Only after they are grounded into the faith should we get them to seek out a church.
lookthroughthedoor.blogspot.com
Thanks for the post. It has inspired me to think more about it. I am a somewhat recent born again Christian and am learning so much more about everything this time around and am committed to studying/practicing daily. I have not yet established myself with a Church, but know I need to do so. I don't know why I haven't but up to now I have been really enjoying developing my personal relationship with God. Honestly, I did not realize what the Bible said about it, so thanks for that. I don't hae anything necessarily against churches and grew up going to church. I'm just hoping to find one that will help me grow with God.
There is nothing like contributing all together in lifting Jesus in worship and praise.
Hi Stan Butler! Thank you for your blog, isn't it exciting to put God's powerful, quick Word all over the world?! I'm thrilled that He uses even me. Also, Stan Butler, Thank you so much for serving our country. If not for you and all other veterans past and present, we wouldn't be having this conversation. God bless you, yours, all veterans & theirs and our great country. Keep up the good work! Later...Jane Marie
Yes we must fellowship amoungst each other! Thanks for the lesson. Please share a testimony on my blog @ www.test-i-mony.blogspot.com.
Thanks and God bless.
it is very sad to know that there is still a lot of individual Christians out there...this is a big challenge for all of us, we must go therefore and be a disciple of Christ by sharing the Words of God i fellowship with others...
great post!!!
can i share this in my facebook? thanks...
Hello and peace of God,
You know Romanian?
I have some questions: Why in the end time, God's people must go out from Babylon the great? What represent this city? And why the political elite of the world will destroy this great and famous entity?
Best regards, from Romania,
IATS
hi! i was just wondering that if ever you read my blog and you see my questions and you happen to know the answers, can you post your answers? it would be of great help. i would post my devotional notes in my blog and of course i would have questions.
i really want to grow deeper in my relationship with God, and i think it would help if i get answers from others, i would also ask my ministry heads and my pastors too. so THANK YOU!
Good stuff there. For a few years in my mid to late teens I stopped going to church altogether. I didn't go off the rails and do anything self destructive, but as a result of a couple of difficult family experiences, couldn't face up to going. I just didn't feel loved or supported. I'm now in my mid thirties, and I'm a stronger Christian now than what I was back then, but even now I sometimes have to force myself to go.
I am a little here with my comments but this post is brilliant.
How'd you know Hebrews 10:25 was one of my all time fave chapters?
Also made you blog of the day.
well said stan .. love your blog .. keep posting ..
Thanks you so much for inviting me! I will read all of your posts, I'm so behind, lol! God bless you and your Ministry and really Happy FAther's Day!
Hi Stan, as you know I've been following your blog for a long time now, even though I don't always leave comments.
I have this to say about this particular post: Someone I was talking to the other day, when asked if she goes to church said," I feel bad enough about myself already, Why would I go to church and be made to feel even worse?"
I'm not a member of any particular church but do believe in not only Jesus but in God Himself. The only reason I do go to church, when I do go, is to sing to the Lord with other people I know do love Him. I have Christian friends and do attend a home cell but do not feel that attending a church is mandatory, that is what the lawyers and Pharisees believed and look what happened to them.
I believe in Jesus. I believe in God and I believe in the Holy Spirit.
That is what I try to get others to believe, not to go to church but to trust God.
For God so loved the world that He sent his only son so that those who believe in him may find forgiveness for their sins and a place with him in His kingdom. (Paraphrased)
I'm not a regular churchian but I am a Christian, that is for sure. All you have to do is visit my blog to see just how true this is.
I show love where I can, I don't judge and I cling to the promises of God as written in His Word. That is good enough for me and I know it is Good enough for Jesus.
God bless you my friend, I know that this post was written out of concern for others and you feel the church is the only way to keep people safe, not necessary, God loves them and He will keep them safe.
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