Have you …. “trodden under foot the Son of God?”
God’s perspective on church attendance and what you have to lose by not going to church
You will stand before God and give an answer for yourself whether you are saved or lost (1 Corinthians 5:9-11; Revelation 20:11-15). So the only real opinion that matters is what God thinks and how He feels about something.
Now let’s look at a passage that will give us an idea of how God feels about church attendance. Also note the “suppose ye,” which indicates this is how God feels about it and wants us to consider how serious He is about it.
Hebrews 10:24–31
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 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.
26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 28 He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Fellowship Broken & Facing God’s Discipline
We know that we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus and his death, burial, and resurrection as payment for our sins (Ephesians 2:8-9; 1 Corinthians 15:1-6). After we are saved, our fellowship with the Lord can be broken by our sin (1 John 1:3-9). That is why we confess our sins to have our fellowship restored with our heavenly Father.
If we do not confess our sin, we face the disciplining hand of God (Hebrews 12:5-11). This is something like the old fashioned spankings my parents gave me growing up. I never doubted my parent’s love, but at the same time, I never wanted to hear my mom say, “just wait until your daddy gets home.” There was love and a healthy fear. Many have lost their fear of God, and it shows in how they live. The fear of the Lord is good and is not just for the Old Testament (Acts 9:31).
Do You Want Boldness Or Terror At The Judgment Seat Of Christ?
Every born again child of God will stand before the Lord Jesus to give an account of their service to Him (2 Corinthians 5:10–11). All our worthless works and those things done with the wrong motive will be burned up. Those things (big or small) done for the Lord with the right heart will remain and are likened to gold, silver, and precious stones (1 Corinthians 3:11-15). You do not want to lose your rewards as well (2 John 8).
2 Corinthians 5:11 speaks of “the terror of the Lord.” Can you imagine looking at those nail-pierced hands and feet having offered Him anything less than your best? He gave it all for you.
However, you can face that day with confidence and boldness (2 Timothy 4:6-8). 1 John 4:17 says, “Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.” You can live in a way where you look forward to seeing Christ rather than dreading standing before Him.
Losing Your Family
Take for a lesson King Uzziah who failed to worship God the right way (2 Chronicles 26:16-21). His son Jotham was a believer, but would not go to the house of the Lord (2 Chronicles 27:2). He married an unsaved, wicked woman (2 Kings 11:1-2). Their son, Ahaz, was not only a lost man but an activist against the true and living God (2 Chronicles 28:2, 24). He even had his children burned alive (reminds me of abortion) (2 Chronicles 28:3).
So we see a grand-dad who loved the Lord, but he misused the house of God; the son loved the Lord, but had no use for the house of God; the grandson tries to destroy the worship of the true God.
Is whatever that is keeping you out of church worth losing your family? Is it worth risking them being “tormented day and night for ever and ever” in “the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:10-15)?
You Can Lose Rewards & The Opportunity to Reign With Christ
When Jesus establishes His kingdom upon this earth for a thousand years, He wants us to reign with Him (Revelation 1:5-6). However, the privilege of ruling with the Lord Jesus is conditional upon our service and our suffering for Him (2 Timothy 2:12; Romans 8:16-17). Since it is an earned reward, you can lose this opportunity.
Daniel 12:3 “And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.”
People who live for the Lord will literally shine. Don’t let it be said of you that you weren’t too bright.