I know good people who never attend church. I know broken, bad, and misguided people who attend church every time the door is open.

But good is not the point.

Assuming that church is for good people is like assuming a hospital is for healthy people.

Assuming one must believe in God to be good is like assuming one must know the director of a movie in order to enjoy the show.

Assuming “good” is God’s standard reveals a small view of who God is, what God is capable of.

I can assure you, what God wants for you is more significant than goodness. Isn’t good average? Shouldn’t “good” be our minimum expectation of one another? Being kind, polite, or thoughtful, all these things are good. Shouldn’t we, based on common courtesy and simple empathy alone be able to expect such niceties from one another?

Good can’t be the standard because good is far too small.

Then what’s the point of church?

Jesus Christ is the hope of the world and the church is His plan for sharing that hope with the world.

Jesus died for our sins and rose from the dead. That’s why we can be forgiven.

Be honest. You know that good is not enough. Good people make mistakes. Good people need forgiveness. Jesus came to make good people godly. He came to forgive the sin of the worst…and the best, the least…and the greatest.

At church is where I discover, with others, not simply how to be good, but how my life can be better than that, and how, through Jesus, death leads to everlasting life. Good has a shelf life. It expires with time. But godliness has lasting value that benefits others for generations.

At church I find people I want to grow with, be accountable to, and partner with in ministry.

And so today, I’m going to be good. Not because of church, but because good is my starting point. Soon I will attend church. I will celebrate the grace of God through Jesus. I will be reminded that I am forgiven. I will grow deeper in my faith and find new ways to use who I am and what I have for the benefit of others. I will do this with other good people (and some who are good for nothing :)). Together we will discover the grace of God as we help one another experience something eternal.

I’d be honored if you come with me.