By Matt McMillen
The same concrete, two-by-fours, and drywall—used to build your church—were also used to build your local KFC and strip club. There’s nothing holy about the physical location we call church. I don’t want to be misunderstood. This is in no way disrespecting your church building. Instead, I want to help you put it in the proper place in your mind.
Your church is not a holy place.
Your church is not God’s dwelling.
Your church is not even God’s house.
In fact, Hebrews 3:6 tells us that’s what you are, dear Christian: You are the house of God. Acts 17:24 says He doesn’t live in places built by human hands.
Now, for those of us who grew up being told we need to go to church to be close to God, to get refilled, or to be in His presence, such talk can be like a speeding locomotive hitting a brick wall.
“WHAT?! How can this be?!”
But friend, there’s freedom in understanding the truth. You are the real temple of God, because He lives in you permanently (1 Cor 6:17,19). For those who find their identity, worth, and weekly-earned righteousness in “going” to church, this might even feel like an attack.
Please, don’t take it that way. I want nothing but the best for you. This isn’t an attack. This is the knowledge of the grace of God. I’m not telling you not to go. Go, if you want to. Enjoy it. I’m telling you there’s nothing special about that physical building. Christ destroyed the need of a physical building in order to be close to God.
You are what’s special. You bring the closeness of God into that building.
The religiously-chained-up mind will shout, “DON’T FORSAKE THE ASSEMBLY!” pulling Hebrews 10:25 out of context. The good news is, that verse, nor any verse in the Bible, tells us to go to church. The first church building wasn’t even erected until 250 years after Christ.
You are free, believer. Don’t let your freedom scare you. It was for freedom that Christ has set you free! (Gal 5:1)
www.mattmcmillen.com
