Trinity Lutheran Church - Town of Wilson

Do We Have To?

Posted by on 23 July 2009 | 0 Comments

Do We Have To?

If you are a parent or grandparent, I am sure that is a question that you have heard countless times.  I remember that as I was growing up, that question was often answered by the statement that paying taxes and dying were the only two things you had to do in life (unless the Lord came first).  Today I would like us to ask ourselves if that really is a true statement.

I know that if I want to enjoy life, there is probably much more that I would have to do.  I know that I like to eat.  And if I like to eat, there are a few other items that have to be done – I have to plan my meals and snacks;  I have to shop for the items I have planned;  I have to clean up and perhaps get ready for the next meal / snack.

Yes it is true that the Lord does take care of us – giving us all we need to support this body and life.  However, He has also given us the ability to work for, to gather, to buy, and to fix our food.  It is not simply handed to us on a silver platter.

This does not apply just to eating either … the same could also be said about other areas of our physical life.

Do We Have To?

No we don’t have to do a thing.  But if we do not, perhaps the only thing that awaits us is to die that physical death.  Why?  If we do not feed and take care of our body, it will die.  So it appears that indeed there are more things we have to do than just pay taxes and die.

If that can be said about our physical life, perhaps we need to examine our spiritual life.  What do we have to do for our spiritual life?

Ultimately there is nothing that we have to do to inherit eternal life.  It is a free gift given to us by God’s grace.  I am sure it is because of that great news that as Pastor, I have often heard it said that a person does not have to go to church in order to be a Christian.  That statement is true – our faith is a gift to us from our great God.  However, being Christian, we will then want to {devote ourselves} to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

You see, it is as we gather together that we hear God’s Word – God’s Word which was written so that we might be made wise to our salvation and trained in holy living.  DO WE HAVE TO hear God’s Word?  Scripture itself tells us Blessed … are those who hear the word of God and keep it!  Without the Word of God we are much like a log taken out of the fireplace or fire pit.  It won’t be long, and we will die spiritually.

The author of the book of Hebrews wrote: Do neglect to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.  DO WE HAVE TO?  No, but my encouragement is for you to join us for worship to be strengthened and encouraged in your faith and life.