Turning Into A Car
There is much more to faith than just rocking up to church on a weekly basis.
Reference: v.16 But to the wicked, God says: “What right have you to recite my laws or take my covenant on your lips? (TNIV Bible)
Explore: The English writer G.K. Chesterton once wrote, “Just going to church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than standing in your garage makes you a car.” I love this quote. It reminds me that there is much more to faith than just rocking up to church on a weekly basis. Now, I’m totally committed to attending church regularly but as Chesterton has suggested so eloquently in his quote, that doesn’t make you a follower of Jesus.
Application: Often when I read through the Bible there are verses addressing those who are distant from God – or ‘wicked’ as they are called in Psalm 50. I always assume these people would never have anything to do with God, however the fact that they are being addressed through letters, poems and books within our scriptures shows that they were actually some of the people who were present during times of worship. In Psalm 50 it explains that these ‘wicked’ people were even present during services where they sacrificed offerings and read from scripture. We cannot assume that just because we go to Church that we would never move away from God. Chesterton’s quote and Psalm 50 is a reminder for us that we need to be on our guard and not become complacent with our faith.
Prayer: Lord, thank you that you are always there for us. Whether we are feeling you close by or sense a distance between us, thank you for promising to be there whenever we call out to you. Amen.
Do you feel that you are progressing in your faith or are you just going through the motions?
This article was written by Linda Bailey
Linda started theological studies in 1999 in Australia. After working for ten years in various church ministries, she now works as the breakfast producer at 89.9 LightFM - the Christian radio station in Melbourne, Australia. She writes blogs every day about passages she is currently reading in the Bible. Follow her on Google Plus +Linda Bailey or Facebook by clicking the like button on the right of this page.