It’s been brought to my mind recently that sometimes going to church can be compared to going to the gym. Saying you don’t like church because of the hypocrites is like saying you don’t like the gym because of the out-of-shape people. There are reasons we go to both these places, and none of them are because we’re perfect.
Sometimes we go to warm a seat and sit on our phones. Sometimes we go to actually do something. Sometimes we go because a friend or relative made us go. Sometimes we go because we feel like we’re supposed to, but don’t really want to. Sometimes we go to hang out with friends. Sometimes we go for appearances. Sometimes we go because they actually want to be there for the intended purpose. Sometimes we go for a mixture of these reasons.
There are going to be times when you don’t want to go. But at least when it comes to church, the time you feel least like going is the time you might most need it. There will be people who don’t want to be there, there will be people who do. There will be people who just sit so they can say they went, there will be people actively involved. You can’t decide what others are going to do, but you can decide what you are going to do. God wants you active and involved. He can work on everyone else while also working on you. You do your job and God will do His. You might even find another “work-out” buddy in the process!
For another physical exercise comparison: Working Out