Will I go to hell if I don't go to church?

[BloodyRachel]

I don't really like church. I don't like people in general. Everyone is living in sin, and it feels so dirty. People are born into sin, destined to go to hell. That's what I've always believed as a Southern Baptist (Calvinism has become really popular in the Southern Baptist church in recent years). I feel like I know God better all on my own. But Hebrews says I need to attend church. Is it a salvation issue, or can I skip it? It seems really annoying and pointless to form relationships with other Christians. God is all I need. That, and myself.

 

[BibleDave]

I am not a church person. I don't mind going to church, but I'm not into the singing and the traditions. In fact, I would rather be at home alone. But I go because I can meet people and listen to sermons. That's whats driving me.

A more in depth reason is that loving your neighbor is one of the most important commandments given. Going to church helps me to catch up with others and discuss issues concerning life and Christianity. Going to church also helps me to love my neighbors and it makes life, in the long and short run, a whole lot easier. Sermons usually shape who I am and what I do that week. God can do amazing things through others. And that is basically how he works. He messages through people. By going to church you are going to hear what God has to say. Sometime sermons are boring and don't apply to you. But I have come to church not wanting too, and then left, enjoying the fact that I came.

Basically, Church is something you shouldn't miss. Don't give up church for other things. If you don't want to go to church then join a homegroup at the least.
Remember that being a Christian isn't about being in your comfort zone.

And no, you won't go to hell for not going to church. But it's like not putting Chocolate in a Chocolate cake. It is suppose to have it.

God bless,
Dave.

 

[BibleDave]

I just wrote something In my Blog
You might want to check it out.

Give your attention to the public readings and teachings - Christian Forums

 

[citizenthom]

Whether something will send you to Hell and whether you should be doing it as a Christian are totally separate issues. You're saved for your sins if you have accepted Christ, period.

But you acknowledge the fact that being an active part of the community of believers is something God asks of you AS a Christian. Church is where we minister to other members of the Body, learn about the Word from those gifted for teaching, develop and act out our own spiritual gifts, and give and receive correction and discipline. It's not optional. It's central to our faith.

People are imperfect. You just have to learn to live with that--both at Church and elsewhere.

 

[ezeric]

I don't go to church at all.

(used to go to church 2 times a week, led the youth group of 40 kids
and went to bible school)

But things change, when we are desperate for LOVE.

One Sunday...

The LORD spoke to me and told me
"I dont want you to go to church, I want you to learn
how to BE the church".

First I was terrified...

Now exhilarated!

Its been nothing short of a miracle - absolutely amazing freedom
and GRACE.

You are the temple of the living GOD - 1 Corinthians 6:19

You can't go to a place that you are!

-eric

The Exchanged Life

 

[LWB]

Attending church obviously is optional, for there are those of us who genuinely seek after the Lord yet don't warm a pew with our bottom every week. My conscience is crystal clear, though I would love to be a part of a godly community, and especially have a father like mentor whom I could respect and learn from.

Trouble is that the typical protestant church service of stale hymns and sermon feels as hollow as a mindless tradition rendered corny. The alternative seems to be mega church rock concert extravaganzas with trendy pastors and their white board presentations, and admittedly beautiful and solemn mass, but burdened with centuries of sacramental and doctrinal baggage.

Home groups, Bible studies and charity work seems the next best means of becoming involved with fellow believers, which I agree should be enjoyed, but could anything be more confrontational than imposing yourself into an established, intimate group of people? Joining this forum felt intimidating enough for me.

If attending church is optional (in my opinion anyway), loving others is not. The whole point of Christianity is loving other people.

 

[Zalu]

No, you won't go to hell for not going to church, but like the posts above me, it's something you should go to. One thing that hits me is your attitude towards other people & the church in general. It's incredibly pessimisstic and a little arrogant. Understand that you're on the exact same level as everyone else. Everything they've done to annoy you, you've done as well at one point. It bothers me that you're willing to 'skip' such a big part of Christianity. While it's true God is the one who sustains us, he's given other people as a gift, as He saw it's not good for man to be alone!

I'd go into detail, but I'm running low on time and will leave you with this:

Getting involved with the local church is key to being a part of THE church.

 

[alan650]

You do know that you are commanded by Jesus Christ to love each other, right? You can't show any love if you have an attitude as negative as yours or by "not liking people in general." Jesus commands us to "love each other as I first loved you." I don't think your real issue is whether you should go to church because with your current attitude it would do no good since you are looking down on others so much thinking you are sinless. Your issue is getting to know the true God who gives you love and makes you feel compassion for others instead of the arrogant judgmental attitude you have now. As harsh as my words are sounding, I am saying this with love because if you don't change your views on people then I am afraid you are completely disobeying God's command to love one another.

 

[BloodyRachel]

Thank you for your replies, everyone. I should have known that Jesus won't judge me for this.

 

[alan650]

Thank you for your replies, everyone. I should have known that Jesus won't judge me for this.

Did you even read my response? I think your attitude is that of a hardened heart. I don't think you should believe that God is going to forgive you so easily. Be honest with yourself here and have a good look at your attitude towards other people. I don't want you to be deceived!

 

[BloodyRachel]

Did you even read my response? I think your attitude is that of a hardened heart. I don't think you should believe that God is going to forgive you so easily. Be honest with yourself here and have a good look at your attitude towards other people. I don't want you to be deceived!

Sorry, alan, I missed your reply. I posted just two minutes after it. Let me go read it.

 

[BloodyRachel]

You do know that you are commanded by Jesus Christ to love each other, right? You can't show any love if you have an attitude as negative as yours or by "not liking people in general." Jesus commands us to "love each other as I first loved you." I don't think your real issue is whether you should go to church because with your current attitude it would do no good since you are looking down on others so much thinking you are sinless. Your issue is getting to know the true God who gives you love and makes you feel compassion for others instead of the arrogant judgmental attitude you have now. As harsh as my words are sounding, I am saying this with love because if you don't change your views on people then I am afraid you are completely disobeying God's command to love one another.

I'm not sinless. I'm sorry if I gave that impression. I just don't like people, so I don't want to go to church. I mean, I'm a person too. How do you think I feel about myself?

I love people, it's just not easy to do it. I think anyone would agree. Our spiritual poverty is hard to bear.

 

[Byrd4God]

I'm not sinless. I'm sorry if I gave that impression. I just don't like people, so I don't want to go to church. I mean, I'm a person too. How do you think I feel about myself?

I love people, it's just not easy to do it. I think anyone would agree. Our spiritual poverty is hard to bear.

I wonder if Jesus finds us hard to love?
I totally get where you are coming from.

 

[BloodyRachel]

I wonder if Jesus finds us hard to love?
I totally get where you are coming from.

No, that's blasphemy. God is love.

 

[Quasicentennial]

Adam and Eve are to blame for our human mistakes and we are not perfect, but we are willing to change and focus our lives on Jesus where we can be safe every single second of our lives. Church is expressing our love for God through our gifts or talents that God has given us. We as Christians cannot be closed-minded about spreading the Word to non-Christians who want freedom from Satan's evil deception. We are at war with Satan and church is our weapon to defeat sin that has plagued mankind for centuries. There are amazing TV-stage-like megachurches that keep bringing Christians back for the joy of singing songs from the next generation of young Christians such as Hillsong United.:*:.
hillsong united | Facebook

 

[Emmy]

Dear Rachel B. In Matthew, chapter 22, verses 35-40, Jesus tells a Lawyer: " The first and great Commandment is: Love thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul and with all thy mind. The second is: Love thy neighbour as thyself." Then Jesus states: " On these two Commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." God wants us to learn to love: God with all our beings, and our neighbour, ( all others, friends and not-friends) as ourselves. A good way is to treat all we know and all we meet, as we would love to be treated. As for going to church, Rachel, you can choose the one with the people you could love in time. We are all sinners, and we go to church to learn to become more as God loves us to be, getting to know God better and our neighbour too. You will find that if you treat others with love and courtesy, they will love you too. Love is a Christian`s only weapon, and love conquers all adversity and dislikes. Jesus will give us His Love and Joy, and the Holy Spirit will empower us with His Love. Jesus told us to " ask and ye will be given," and we will have all the love and good-will to share with our neighbour too. God will see our efforts to follow His Commandments, to show God how very much we love Him, and God will approve and bless us. The Bible keeps telling us: " Repent," change our selfish and unloving character INTO: Loving God as He deserves to be loved, and loving our neighbour as we love ourselves. God is our Heavenly Father, and God wants us to become His loving children/sons and daughters. As for going to hell, you are the one to choose where you will end up, God does not force or coerce us, we have free will to follow Jesus back to God, Or we choose our own way: into Outer Darkness, without God`s Love or Light. I say this with love, Rachel, and send greetings. Emmy, your sister in Christ.

 

[freezerman2000]

You do know that you are commanded by Jesus Christ to love each other, right? You can't show any love if you have an attitude as negative as yours or by "not liking people in general." Jesus commands us to "love each other as I first loved you." I don't think your real issue is whether you should go to church because with your current attitude it would do no good since you are looking down on others so much thinking you are sinless. Your issue is getting to know the true God who gives you love and makes you feel compassion for others instead of the arrogant judgmental attitude you have now. As harsh as my words are sounding, I am saying this with love because if you don't change your views on people then I am afraid you are completely disobeying God's command to love one another.

One can love people without liking them.
If one is highly uncomfortable in crowds, that can be "not liking people in general".
My step grandson is the same way...He has a very loving personality, but can not stand being in crowds. He has problems at Wally World, which is much less confining than being in the midst of a church congregation...
Isn't it easy to judge someone without knowing all of the facts?

 

[citizenthom]

I'm not sinless. I'm sorry if I gave that impression. I just don't like people, so I don't want to go to church.

Have you ever talked to a psychologist or other professional about this? What you're describing (and what the above poster described with his step-grandson) sounds a lot like social anxiety. I suffer from it myself, and found it was the root cause of my own "dislike for people." It can be crippling, and it makes communion with other believers more difficult--but you owe it to yourself and to God to examine what is really causing you to have difficulty going to church, so that you can get back to serving the Church as god commands and desires.

 

[Angelfrog]

I've said elsewhere on this forum that church wasn't something humans thought up- it was God's idea.
There has to be a reason for that, right?

Saying that church is dull or the people are hypocrites (well duh- show me one person on the planet who isn't in some form) or it's out of date or we're free from 'legalism (that one makes me laugh) or any of the excuses we're good at coming up with (and believe me, I've used many them at some point.
There are many types of church/ worship/ etc and it may be that we have to try a few before finding our spiritual 'home'.

As for not liking people- don't you think that God may want to use the church and people in it to help you overcome that?

The way I see it, if God established the church for our benefit, it's a bit arrogant of me to think I don't need it- that I'm really so clued in and brilliant that I don't need solid teaching and conversation and to share my gifts and to seek help and offer help and so on.
I'm so mature and great that I'm able to provide all that by myself?
I'd rather not, thanks.

 

[jsimms615]

I don't think the question really is whether or not you will go to hell. I think if you look at what it says in 1 John that if you say you love God and don't love others then you may be revealing a spiritual problem that you have. Because it says you can't love God if you don't love others. Even those with many faults.