“Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” John 13:35 (NLT)

The Bible says a Christian without a church home is like an organ without a body, a sheep without a flock, or a child without a family. It’s an unnatural state. The Living Bible paraphrase says, “You belong in God’s household with every other Christian” (Ephesians 2:19).

Today’s culture of individualism has created many spiritual orphans—“bunny believers” who hop around from one church to another without any identity, accountability, or commitment. Some even think that it’s possible to grow spiritually strong without joining (or even attending) a local church. But God strongly disagrees.

The church is so significant that Jesus died on the cross for it: “Christ loved the church and gave his life for it” (Ephesians 5:25 GW).

So if you follow Christ, it’s important to be committed to a specific community of believers. Being part of a church family is one way to show you’re a genuine believer. Jesus said, “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples” (John 13:35 NLT).

Your commitment to a church is a visible sing that you follow Jesus, but it also strengthens you as a believer. When you meet with your church family, you receive motivation and encouragement from others, and you provide motivation and encouragement to them.

Maybe you’ve had a great week and feel like you don’t need to go to church. But if you don’t show up at church, someone will miss out on the encouragement you could provide. And if they’re on the edge of hopelessness, your warm smile or kind words might make all the difference. That’s what it means to be the church.

Here’s the truth: Christians need each other to grow. Many people think spiritual growth is a private matter, but God calls believers to live out their faith in community. You can’t develop a deep faith in isolation.

When people from different backgrounds, races, and social statuses come together in love as a church family, it becomes a powerful witness to the world. As Galatians 3:28 says, “You are all the same in Christ Jesus” (GW).