“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”
— Hebrews 10:23–25 (NASB95)
The local church isn’t just a tradition. It’s not a social club or a weekend obligation. According to God’s Word, gathering together with other believers is essential for the Christian life.
But some see Christianity as a “personal thing.” If all we need is grace, why do anything else?
The answer is simple: we are not only saved by Christ’s sacrifice from the world. We are also saved to God’s purpose. This means we are part of the church. His family. His people. For His glory.
No doubt about it. Church is a must for any follower of Jesus Christ. And it’s one of the clearest ways we show our love for God and for one another.
How does this shake out? Let’s look at four great reasons why we should attend church, all drawn from Hebrews 10:23-25.
1. Church Attendance Is Commanded
Let’s be honest: some people treat church like it’s optional. I’m convinced some wake up on Sunday morning and go, “Well, what are we going to do today? I know…!”
I guarantee that anyone with a mindset like this will miss church more often than not. The point? Church isn’t optional if you follow Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 10 doesn’t give us the impression that church is just something we do occasionally.
“Not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some…”
Although English loses a lot of the punch, this is a command. The grammar carries the strength of the verb before it. That verb is an imperative — the grammar of command.
God is clear. Don’t neglect gathering with your church. This isn’t a suggestion. It’s a command.
Skipping church isn’t just missing out. It’s disobedience.
2. Church Is Necessary Because God Is Faithful
Verse 23 reminds us:
“For He who promised is faithful.”
God always keeps His promises. And if He’s faithful, we’re called to be faithful too.
If Christ had the same attitude as He trudged toward the cross as many who begrudgingly attend services, we would be done for. Thank God that Jesus was more faithful than some of His own people’s church attendance!
Showing up to church is a small but powerful act of faithfulness. It’s how we live out our covenant relationship with God and with His people.
You weren’t saved into isolation. You were saved into a body. A family. A local church.
3. It’s How We Encourage and Sharpen Each Other
Church isn’t a spectator sport.
“Let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds…”
That word stimulate means to stir up, to provoke in a good way. We’re called to push each other toward holiness and obedience. After all, the main reason we are here is to glorify God. God’s people help us do that.
We encourage people. They encourage us. We live for God’s glory.
But that doesn’t happen over livestream or through a few texts. It happens face-to-face. In the pew. In prayer. In real conversations with real people.
You can’t encourage people if you’re never with them. True encouragement requires a more personal touch.
You also can’t actively love someone if you aren’t near them. Loving your brothers and sisters in Christ is proof that you love God. The author of Hebrews would have given a hearty amen to the Apostle John when he wrote:
“If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also.” (1 John 4:20–21, NASB 95)
You can’t claim to love God while distancing yourself from His people. That isn’t showing love and isn’t true Christianity. Love of this kind is shown in community.
And that community is the church.
When you serve your church family, when you pray for them, when you simply show up—you’re loving Christ Himself.
“By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35)
4. Church Keeps Our Eyes on Christ’s Return
The author of Hebrews ends with this:
“…and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”
We gather not just for today, but because we know the Day is coming—when Christ returns.
The world is getting darker. That’s no surprise.
But the answer isn’t isolation. It isn’t hiding away in a bunker. It isn’t loathing life so much that all we do is ignore everyone and everything waiting for Jesus to come.
Watching for Christ is waiting with others who love Him as much as we do. That means church is one big “watch party.” Now think about that for a moment!
We show how much we want to see Jesus by eagerly gathering with each other. Other believers transform into a constant reminder that Christ is coming. A Bible-focused, Christ-centered, Spirit filled, God-honoring, loving church is the closest we will get to heaven this side of heaven. It’s also a great reminder that there’s something better.
We need the church more, not less, as the return of our Lord draws closer.
So What?
If you love Christ, you’ll love His church and attend there regularly.
If you hold fast to the hope He gives, you’ll hold fast to the people He died to save.
So show up.
Worship.
Serve.
Encourage.
Be part of what God is doing through His people. Not out of guilt, but out of joy—and out of love for the One who is coming again.
Do you know Jesus? If not, find Him here.
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