It is dangerous for one who claims to be a Christian to refuse to attend, and be active in, a local church. Not only is it dangerous, I believe it is sinful. Please let me explain.
The author of Hebrews warns his readers of developing an evil, unbelieving heart which falls away from the true and living God (3:12). In the next verse, he instructs his readers to “encourage one another day after day – so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” In other words, should they neglect the fellowship of other Christians (remember, he’s writing to a church), they run the risk of developing an evil, unbelieving heart. Remember, it is perseverance in the faith (Heb. 3:15), not merely profession of faith, that ensures salvation.
Later in chapter 10 of Hebrews, the author again writes concerning church attendance. He encourages those following Jesus to encourage one another in love and good deeds and not to forsake assembling together (Heb. 10:24-25). He’s not talking about getting a group of guys to play golf together each week (even if they are all Christians). He’s not talking about the seniors’ meeting at church either. He is referring to corporate worship. He has in mind putting oneself under the preaching and teaching of the word of God, in the fellowship of believers, in order to encourage one another in Christlikeness.
Now don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with playing golf with a group of friends or attending a monthly covered dish supper. Just don’t deceive yourself into thinking that you’ve done your duty as far as church is concerned.
At the heart of a so-called Christian’s willful and voluntary refusal to attend church is rebellion at best, and self-deception at worst. If we take the Bible for what it says, we cannot conclude otherwise. It is rebellion because the clear teaching of the Bible, as we have seen, is that genuine Christians should be involved with a local church. To willfully neglect the assembling of the brethren is sin. If you fall into this category, recognize your decision as sin. Perhaps you have been deceived by the deceitfulness of sin. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Repent. Seek the Lord. Get involved.
On the other hand, perhaps you are not really a Christian, but are living in self-deception. My congregation hears this often: There is nothing saving in walking an aisle or praying a prayer. Baptism is only genuine if it follows repentance and genuine faith in Jesus. Faith is only genuine if it perseveres to the end.
I hope this encourages someone to think about where he or she stands with God. Some people need to move past clich?s and traditions and heed the words of Paul: “Test yourselves to see if you are of the faith; examine yourselves!” (2 Cor. 13:5). My hope is that every believer would do as Peter instructs and “be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you -” (2 Peter 1:10). One aspect of making this certain should include not forsaking the assembling of the brethren.