I believe in God and Jesus dying for my sins but I just can't bring my self to go to church. Sure, I am lazy but that can't be the only way to heaven. Which I believe exists. Can I just ask for forgiveness of my sins on my own? Will I be forgiven? Is the church the funnel to God and heaven or can I make it on my own? What about homestudy for this kind of thing? I am being serious, this causes me some concern and I think about it a lot.
2007-04-17 14:44:40 · 24 answers · asked by luxyfoxy 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
no.
find your own path.
2007-04-17 14:47:31 · answer #1 · answered by kent_shakespear 7 · 0⤊ 4⤋
No you don't. Jesus never said going to church is a must. It is a good thing for many people but not required. Jesus taught us to love God and love others unconditionally and he said all the laws and commandments hang on these 2 things. I don't go to church much anymore either but I still read my Bible and try to practice the things it teaches. All you need to do to be saved is ask for it and there is nothing more you can do to earn it. If you ask for forgiveness you will be forgiven, no questions asked because God loves you so much. A good father wouldn't turn his child down no matter how bad they have been.
I think the church is supposed to be a place to learn more about God and to help the community and spread the Gospel. I have gotten so much closer to God without going to church. I just felt like I wasn't ever learning anything there. It's like I was on a high school level spiritually, and my church was still on a 5th grade level and I wasn't learning anything new or growing spiritually. You can talk to God and Jesus yourself and you don't need anyone else and he will hear you and respond to you in different ways.
2007-04-17 16:27:48 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, God doesn't only accept your appology from the pew.
No, you can't make it on your own. We have to give up control (easier said than done) and hand it over to Jesus. Trust him. You can't get to heaven by any work.
Stay home, get filled with the Holy Spirit, Read the word, Praise and Worship, have your own church service. There are alot of sermons on the net too. Beth Moore is great, funny, and honest. Then follow the Lord's lead. He will show you what is best.
You are not condemned! You are forgiven, holy, righteous, blameless. (Read Eph.) You are unconditionally Loved!
be Blessed!
2007-04-17 14:54:49 · answer #3 · answered by Unconditionally Loved 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Technically,no you do not. The Church is the body of Christ..not a building. But being part of a fellowship,wheather a "church building" or a home fellowship gathering(which is what I attending for years, when I was first saved,is for corporate worship and fellowship with others that can speak into your life,encourage you and build you up in the faith....not to mention,hearing the word of God ministered. I will leave you with this text from the Bible..
“Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the gathering of ourselves together, as the manner of some is: but exhorting one another and so much the more, as you see the day approaching”
Hebrews 10:24–25
2007-04-17 14:56:17 · answer #4 · answered by bonsai bobby 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You absolutely do not have to go to church to spaek with GOD and ask forgiveness. GOD wants to hear from you where ever you are and he alone, (not a pastor or any priest) can forgive your sins. If you ask GOD to forgive your sins, He will gladley do it.
The only way to Heaven is through Jesus Christ. Jesus is the funnel between us and GOD. "I am the way, the Truth and the Life, no one comes to the Father except through me." You do NOT have to go through any earthly thing to communicate with GOD.
When it comes to going to church, it is important that you go. It is good to go to a special place with fellow believers to worship GOD. Is going to church the only way to keep the Sabboth holy? Of course not, but it is good to set aside time for you to worship GOD with other members of Christ's Church. The Bible tells us in
1 Corinthians 12:12-30 that as Christians we are automatically part of Christ's Church, we are one part of a large body. It is important that we exercise the gifts GOD gave us in the Church. Now is the local church the only way to do this? No, but it is a good starting place.
2007-04-17 15:07:19 · answer #5 · answered by alexomalex 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Death is inevitable. The thief on the cross knew when his would occur and I am sure he never went to church. After his death, the crucified criminal went to live in paradise with Jesus. Some of us will also live eternally in God's presence. But others will experience everlasting torment, forever separated from Him.
If we receive Jesus as our Savior, our penalty for sin is paid. We are adopted into God's family, and Heaven is our eternal home. If we reject Jesus, we remain alienated from the Lord and under condemnation for our sin. We are destined to experience eternal judgment. God won't accept any of man's excuses because there is no acceptable defense for unbelief. (Acts 4:12)
2007-04-17 17:51:01 · answer #6 · answered by Freedom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Bible states that there is only ONE way to Heaven and that's through Jesus Christ and the Word of God...If you have accepted Him as your Lord and personal Savior and acknowledge His dying on the cross to save us from our own sins and if you ask Him to come into your heart than you are SAVED......once saved you cannot LOSE your eternal Salvation......Church is not the way to Heaven.....a lot of people go to church but are NOT saved....likewise there are a lot of SAVED people who do not go to church....Believe in HIM and you will one day walk beside Him in heaven.....God Bless!
2007-04-17 15:01:06 · answer #7 · answered by nicole1101 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Thanks for admitting you are lazy. However, church, heaven, forgiveness, sins, the Bible, and religion, are all creations of men....not God. I am being serious too. Think about the flawed man-made Bible, that's full of myths and contradictions. Would a perfect being, such as God, have anything to do with such an imperfect book? Do your research before you dedicate your precious life to following a big hoax.
2007-04-17 14:57:36 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Baby, let me tell you something.
God and Jesus is everywhere.
You raise your head and you ask for forgiveness and you feel light 5 minutes later! You can do self study.
There are many self-study books that I use that are just as good as bible study. You can buy them at any bookstore.
Aim to be positive and always see the beauties in life and you will go to heaven. You're gonna go there anyway so there are no worries, sweet pea.
You have a good heart.
2007-04-17 14:54:19 · answer #9 · answered by Sasha C 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Hebrews 10:25
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching
26-For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
2007-04-17 14:54:25 · answer #10 · answered by Rhonda 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No you don't have to go to church to go to heaven as long as you believe in god I think it would be better to go to church but as long as you pray every night, Read the bible, and believe in him its OK...yes you will be forgiven... yes you can ask for forgiveness of you sins by you own....You will never be on your own god will always be guiding you every step of you life.
2007-04-17 14:52:13 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋