A great insight from the book “Multiply” by Francis Chan.

“Somewhere along the line, it became popular to pursue Jesus while shunning organized religion. We even hear from people who ‘love Jesus but hate the church.’ While no one can deny that the church has its share of problems, Jesus never gave us the option of giving up on His church. And He certainly would not approve of us “hating” her. The church was His idea, so it is impossible to follow Him while shunning the church He died to save.”

We must understand the the church is not the building; in the New Testament the church or Ekklesia was the gathering of those who professed faith in Jesus.  In other words, Jesus’s followers are to be connected to one another.  You cannot be a follower of Jesus and live in isolation from the body of believers.  Francis got it right, you cannot follow Jesus while shunning his church he died for.  If you’re not connected to a local church, find one in which you can enjoy fellowship and grow with other Christians.  When you read the book Acts, right at the beginning of the church (Acts 2:41-47) you learn how the first Christians had everything in common.  They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and prayer.

How committed are you to these things today?