I was 11 when my mother married my father, and it was then that we started "going to church." On Sunday morning, or on one of those "special" days that the Catholic Church observed, my mother or father would say, "It's time to get ready to go to church." Then we would all pile into the car to "go to church."

Since I obeyed the pure Gospel of Christ, I have given some thought to the phrase, "going to church," only because now and then I've heard a member of the true church use it. I've often wondered, "What does that person mean by that, since we are the church," but it would be only a passing thought. Then, not long ago, on a Wednesday night, I heard it used in a prayer. The prayer offered was that those who were not present, (but who more than likely could have been) would desire to "go to church."

After the prayer, it occurred to me that the problem not only includes desire, but it also goes far deeper. The problem with some Christians is that when they do "go to church," that is all they do. The sad and simple truth is: they have never truly sought to be "part" of the church. Read 1 Corinthians 12:12-27.

We are not Christians so we can "go to church." We are Christians who "make up" the church. We are the church; at least, if we profess Christ, we ought to be. "From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their minds,... But ye have not so learned Christ;..." (Ephesians 4:16-17,20). "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:..." (Philippians 2:5).

Therein lies the problem with some: they do not possess the "mind of Christ;" they do not put into action the Word of God, that which the "mind of Christ" has revealed to us. "But be ye doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." (James 1:22) "But grown in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever. Amen. "(2 Peter 3:18) Is it a "glory," (cf. 1 Peter 4:11) unto God when we just "go to church?" Better yet, is it a glory unto God to be a working member of the church, or of Christ? Do we possess the mind of Christ as it concerns the church? As it concerns being a Christian? As it concerns the responsibilities that we take upon ourselves when we "profess" Christ? "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for He is faithful that promised;)..." (Hebrews 10:23) Let us consider the following:

1. "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it." (Ephesians 5:25) Jesus loved the church so much that He gave His life for her. "Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood." (Acts 20:28). To what extent do we love the church? To love the church is to love one another, to possess the mind of Christ.
   
   "If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 2:1-5)
   
   
2. "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." (Hebrews 10:24-25) Didn't Christ reveal His mind concerning assembling ourselves together?
   
   How is it then that some Christians argue that we only have to assemble on Sunday mornings; and then, only to partake of the Lord's Supper? We don't have to "go to church" on Sunday or Wednesday evening, or during a gospel meeting. NO! God has never forced a soul to do anything! The question is: How much do we love God, Jesus Christ, and one another?
   
   When we choose not to assemble with brethren, how much are we "considering" them? When we choose not to assemble, how much are we provoking unto love or unto good works? How much good are we really accomplishing? "Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin." (James 4:17)
   
   Of Jesus and the church, it is written, "For both He that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause He is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying, I will declare Thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto Thee." (Hebrews 2:11-12) Are you one (cf. John 17:20-21) with Christ and the church?
   
   
3. "And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." (Philippians 2:8) What an amazing example of humbleness. But this example is lost on some Christians. We are to be "clothed with humility" (1 Peter 5:5); but is this reserved for Sunday morning only? For some, it is when they "go to church." We are to be "clothed with Christ" at ALL times. We are to be representatives of the church of Christ. What then do our neighbors and friends see? What do our families see? What does God see?
   
   C-crucified. (Galatians 2:20; 6:14)
   H-heaven-bound. (2 Corinthians 5:1-11; Philippians 1:21)
   R-remembers. (2 Peter 1:12-15; 3)
   I-instructs. (1 Peter 3:15; 2 Timothy 3:16 - 4:5)
   S-spiritual. (Colossians 3; Galatians 5:16 - 6:10)
   T-tried. (1 Peter 1:3-9; 1 John 5:1-4)
   I-involved. (Philippians 2:12-16; Colossians 2:6)
   A-able (1 Timothy 6:11-14; 2 Timothy 2:19-21)
   N-narrow. (Matthew 7:13-14; Philippians 2:5)

Let us stop "going to church!" Let us be the church. "My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth." (1 John 3:18) "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 2:5)