How often have Christians heard people say that they love Jesus, or believe in Jesus, but they don’t go to church. Are these statements possible for sincere believers? As we read through the Scriptures, we get no indication that loving God can be separated from loving God’s people.
In the Old Testament, there are many references to the beauty of the people of God gathering together. Even the pagan prophet, Balaam, was forced to see the beauty of God’s people as they dwelt together. Numbers 24:5-7 How lovely are your tents, O Jacob, your encampments, O Israel! 6 Like palm groves that stretch afar, like gardens beside a river, like aloes that the LORD has planted, like cedar trees beside the waters. 7 Water shall flow from his buckets, and his seed shall be in many waters; his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted. Psalm 133 is also dedicated to celebrating the gathering of God’s people. Psalm 133A Song of Ascents. Of David. Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! 2 It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! 3 It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the LORD has commanded the blessing, life forevermore.
In the New Testament, the writer of the Hebrews understands that it is both a blessing and obedience to God to gather together as his saints. Hebrews 10:23-25 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
While we read verses that encourage us to be together as God’s people, we also find texts in the bible that tell us that those who do not love the church come under the punishment of God. James tells us that when we criticize the church, we are criticizing God. James 4:11 Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.
When the martyrs of the church cry out to God in the book of Revelation, God brings swift answer. Revelation 6:15-17 Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, 16 calling to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, 17 for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?" When we read texts like this we are reminded that God loves his church and those that come against his people come against God himself.
We only have to read the New Testament letters to find that the Apostles pray for the church, care for the church, call the church to gather and edify each other and love and care for each other. Bottom line, there is no way to declare your love for Jesus without declaring your love and care for his people. The Shepherd loves his sheep and if you don’t then you will have to deal with the Shepherd.