Thought for the Lord’s Day

Did you pay your dues at church today?

This is a ridiculous question, isn’t it? Of course it is.

Nevertheless, the question must be answered – did you pay your dues at church today?  Christians often miss the most obvious implications of our faith. As Paul tells the Ephesians, we have been saved by the gift of grace. There is no room for boasting. Even though we believe this to be true, we can still attempt to pay dues.

How does that work?

If you go to church when you would rather be somewhere else, you are paying dues.

If you go to church because you want others to think well of you, you are paying dues.

If you go to church and donate your time and money, hoping someone will notice, you are paying dues.

If you go to church hoping this will help your kids behave so that they don’t embarrass you, you are paying dues.

If you go to church to help attempt to make up for past sins, you are paying dues.

If you go to church hoping God will be pleased with your attendance, you are paying dues.

If you go to church for any other reason than to bring honor to God’s name, you are paying dues.

These words of Paul in Romans 11 are among the reasons to go to church. They have nothing to do with paying dues. They have everything to do with the character of God!

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and[i] knowledge of God!

How unsearchable his judgments,
and his paths beyond tracing out!

“Who has known the mind of the Lord?

Or who has been his counselor?”

“Who has ever given to God,

    that God should repay them?”

For from him and through him and for him are all things.

    To him be the glory forever! Amen.

 

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