“Once upon a time a fellow got real mad at something
that was done in the church. So he said, ‘I’ll never go
to church again—I’ll die and go to hell first!’ So
he did.”
(from the book Wish I’d Said That)
I am forevermore surprised at people who will “quit
the church” in an effort to “get back” at someone.
I must ask. To what are we converted? Why do we assemble? Do we think
that by attending the worship services of the church we are in some
way doing God a favor? Do we believe that we can punish Him or the church
by refusing to come?
In considering this matter, we need a dose of common
sense. God needs nothing from me. “Even so ye also, when ye shall
have done all the things that are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable
servants; we have done that which it was our duty to do” (Luke
17:10). He is well able to do all His will, without my assistance. However,
I need Him for everything. “For in him we live, and move, and
have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we
are also his offspring” (Acts 17:28). I assemble with the saints
to obey His Word, to do my best to show my love for Him, to strengthen
my brethren, and to bring Him glory. When I intentionally absent myself
from the assembly of God’s people, I might hurt the local body
somewhat, but, mostly, I just hurt myself.
It has been my observation through the years that the
absence of those who “quit the church” in an effort to express
their anger rarely does any harm at all. All of the work of the church
continues as before. The contribution of the church rarely shows a significant
change. Bible studies never have to be assumed by others now that they
are gone, because they weren’t doing any Bible studies before
they left. Usually, it is hard to find anything that person was doing
when he was there. The only real harm to the local church is in the
contribution to the effort that person should have been giving that
was never given.
There is a reason this phenomenon is true. Those who
are busy working for the Lord are much less likely to quit. Those who
are busy working for the Lord are usually unwilling to do anything intentionally
that might in any way harm or discourage the brethren. Those who are
busy working for the Lord see themselves as servants both to God and
also to their fellow man.
Ask yourself the following questions. If I “quit
the church” right now:
1. What work am I now doing that someone else would have to assume?
2. Who am I now serving that someone else would have to begin serving?
3. How much would others have to increase their giving to make up for
my absence?
4. Would someone else have to take over the Bible studies I am now teaching?
5. Would someone else have to invite to church the people I have been
inviting?
If the answers to these questions are that:
1. I am not doing any work.
2. I am not serving anyone.
3. I am not giving very much.
4. I am not teaching anyone the Bible.
5. I am not inviting anyone to come learn about Jesus
Young people, don’t exempt yourself from that
test. Those of you are members of the Lord’s church are expected
to do all you can do for the Master. You are expected to be workers,
servants, teachers, inviters, and, if you have jobs, givers. In fact,
you have some opportunities for service and evangelism while you are
young that you will never have again. You have a strong influence over
someone or some group of people. Are you using that influence for good?
Are you active in God’s service? Are you an active member of the
Lord’s church here, or are you just here?
All of us, no matter what age we may be, need to know
that it is a great privilege to be a member of the Lord’s church.
It is a great honor to be able to labor in the Master’s vineyard.
We are following in the footsteps of Jesus when we serve others (John
13:1-17).
If we can learn these lessons we will not be quitters.
We will not want to punish God or His people. If we do not learn these
lessons, eventually, something will happen to make us angry. We will
decide to “show them” down at the church by quitting altogether
or by going somewhere else. We might even develop the attitude that
“I’ll never go to church again—I’ll die and
go to hell first!” To which we can only sadly say, “When
you’re right, you’re right.”
