Stoke the Fire (1 Thessalonians 5:19)

Coming back to it

The day before, a participant had asked whether not going to church makes you less of a Christian. The conversation was good, but DeWayne realized afterward he'd never actually answered. So he did.

The direct answer

No. Your salvation rests on what Christ finished on the cross, not on attendance.

The however

Paul says, "Do not quench the Spirit." The fire is already lit in every believer. Sin and isolation pour water on it. Being in community stokes it. And church means the body of Christ, so this morning call counts, as do small groups and Bible studies.

What happened next

DeWayne shared that because of the previous day's conversation, someone on the call who hadn't been attending had decided to go to church that Sunday. He gave the credit to the Holy Spirit. Participants talked about what their groups meant to them, and one admitted that even after plenty of church hurt, she still needs to be around like-minded believers.

Not legalism

Churches are made of imperfect people. Give grace. And some seasons really are for time on your knees at home. It's relationship, not rules.

Try this

• Reach out to one believer this week just to check in.
• If you've drifted from community, take one step back toward it.