By Steve Higginbotham
Through the years, I have had people ask the following question, “Do I have to go to all of the services of the church? I mean, what if I don’t go on Sunday night? Would it be a sin if I stayed home?” Well, allow me to answer that question by asking a few questions of my own.
Do you have to hug and kiss your little children? Do you have to remember your wife’s birthday? Do you have to call home when you’re late coming home from work? Do you have to buy Christmas presents for your family? Do you have to attend ball games and band functions in which your children are
involved? Do you have to attend the funeral of a close friend or loved one? Do you have to say, “I love you” when you love someone?
I think you see the point. Sometimes we are guilty of asking the wrong questions. There are some things in life that we don’t “have” to do, but we “get” to do. In fact, even asking the question, “Do I have to?” is terribly inappropriate.
When I was in college, I remember Hugo McCord telling about a time in his life, prior to his marriage, that he was only able to see his wife-to-be one weekend a month. As he told us of this period of time in his life, he asked us, “Do you think there was ever a time when I asked, “Do I have to go see my wife-to-be this month?” The answer was obvious. And I believe the answer is just as obvious when answering this question. Be careful! Make sure your relationship with God is not based more on what you have to do and don’t have to do, than what you get to do.
On Sunday nights, we get to worship God, study his word, and fellowship with the saints. Will I see you there?