What will you say when Jesus asks, “Where Were You?” · 2010-07-02

So many people are just going through the motions of being church people. They attend because they want to be perceived as good people. They attend because they don’t want to let down others. They attend because there is an internal sense that it is the right thing to do. They attend because they want their children to be exposed to some moral teaching so long as they don’t get carried away with religion. They attend because they are entertained. They attend because they receive some personal benefit from hanging around people who are agreeable, friendly, and seek to be ethically correct. They attend for so many reasons that are really secondary, though not unimportant.

While it is beneficial that some people are motivated to attend for the variety of reasons mentioned above, where does love for Jesus fit into that picture?

I am amused by people who call themselves “Christian”, but do not serve in their local church. They are not loyal to their church, yet they think that God is going to use them in ministry some day. They suffer from what Mark Dever called “commitment-phobia”. They are afraid to commit because they might miss out on something better. They want to keep their options open.

What will they say to Jesus when He asks, “Where were you?” Where were you when that lost friend of yours came to visit your church? Where were you when the hurting Christian co-worker sought you out at your church? Where were you when your church ministry failed for lack of volunteers? Where were you when….?

What is your choice as a substitute for worship? Are Bible studies a worthy substitute? Are community projects a worthy substitute? Are family get-togethers a worthy substitute?

According to Luke 14, it was the practice of Jesus to be in synagogue every Sabbath. On the day of worship each week people knew where Jesus would be. On Sunday morning, do people know where you can be found? Is your pattern of worship consistent enough that people just know where you will be on Sunday morning?

What will you say when Jesus asks, “Where were you when I needed you?”

— Chuck Deglow

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