"I've Just Had a Bad Experience"

How often have you heard this statement? "I don't go to church anymore because I had a bad experience!" If I had a nickel for every time....well...you know the saying. I was speaking with a Pastor friend of mine today and he told me about a couple that had asked him to perform their wedding. In the course of meeting with them to discuss the possibility he discovered that they were both unsaved. Praise the Lord that not long after, they both received Christ while sitting in his office!

He continued to relate the story to me, and happened to mention that they did not have any desire to go to church. When I asked why, he replied, "They said they had had a bad experience with church." I could just scream every time I hear this! It is really quite funny when you realize that this couple who was seeking to get married had previously been married to someone else and had gotten a divorce! WAIT JUST A COTTON PICKIN' MINUTE!!!!!

After I picked myself up off the floor where I had been laughing my guts out, I sat down to write this post. I don't know if you smell a rat, but I sure did. This "bad experience" line is a favorite of the Devil, and he has managed to spread it around the world! Just try and follow me here.

Church attendance is one of the only activities which we avoid because of a "bad experience". I once had a bad experience at McDonald's. Guess what? I didn't stop going to McDonalds. I may not have gone back to that same McDonalds, but I certainly didn't avoid them altogether! I have had bad experiences driving cars, but I didn't stop driving them. I have had bad experiences in grocery stores, but I didn't stop shopping for groceries. I have had bad experiences watching television, but I didn't stop watching it. I have even had a bad experience when I got out of bed, but I didn't stop getting out of bed!!!! I think you get the picture. :) Now this couple was even more hypocritical because they were seeking to be remarried after getting a divorce. Isn't getting a divorce what you would call a bad experience in marriage? If they were going to be ethical and consistent, they would stop going to church and they would never get married. After all, a bad experience is the kicker, right? Once you have a bad experience, then that is all there is! No more of that activity!

When are we going to stop letting people get away with using this transparent, hypocritical excuse for why they don't go to church? You don't avoid church because you had a bad experience. I guarantee that there is another reason. Try rebellion, laziness, worldliness, lostness, bitterness, disobedience, and the list goes on and on.

Add to that the fact that church attendance is not optional for the Christian. It is required: not to go to Heaven, but to be pleasing to the Father!

Stop feeling sorry for those who use this excuse. I know you can't do it without hurting feelings, but if you could point out the inconsistency of this statement in relation to the rest of the way they live their life, you would strip away the lie and get to the truth.

Do people have bad experiences in church? Sure they do! I have had them. You have probably had them. Whenever you deal with people you are likely to have a bad experience. Does that give us grounds to quit going to church? NOPE!!!

Okay, I feel better now. I will just leave you with this verse. 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.