Now on the first day of the week, when

the disciples came together – Acts 20:7

Why should we never judge someone by their attendance and dedication to the local church? Not everyone that attends church on a regular basis is serving the Lord. Some people have selfish motives behind their devotion; it can be power, authority, control, or their public appearance.

The devil seems to be in church every Sunday trying to cause division or hinder someone who is seeking after God. II Corinthians 11:13-14 says, “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder. For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.”

Dennis Rader was a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Wichita, Kansas, and had been elected president of the church council. He was also known as the BTK (bind, torture, and kill) serial killer. He was responsible for the death of at least ten people.

Gary Ridgway was raised in a Baptist home and attended church with his parents. When Gary grew up, he became very religious at times and was somewhat faithful in church attendance and Bible reading. He would cry listening to sermons and read the Bible aloud wherever he went. But all these things never changed his heart, mind, and will. He was known as the Green River Killer. It is believed he killed between 70 and 80 people. Reference: Google, Wikipedia.

As I read the background and techniques of some of these killers, I had to bow my head and thank God for the safety he has provided for me.

One summer as I was working back in the hills and valleys, I was in an area called Purgatory. I was down in the bottom of a valley loading logs when this little car came speeding into the log landing. He had no clue where the road was taking him. I stopped loading logs and pulled the car to the top of the hill so he could get back to civilization.

When we reached the top of the hill I had to get down on my hands and knees to unhook the cable. He did not want to get his dress clothes dirty. I realized the situation I was in, but felt I had no choice but to get down and unhook the cable. As I was getting back on my feet, I saw his hand reach inside his sport jacket.

I silently asked the question, “Lord, is this the end?” As his hand came out, he was holding a wallet. He proceeded to pay me for rescuing him from his predicament. I realized at that time, someone else was watching over me, protecting me every day. So how do these stories apply to our lives and church attendance?

1 – We really don’t know many of the people we attend church with and we should not judge by attendance or how people treat us on Sunday. Remember Judas the hypocrite.

2 – Outside the church we must protect ourselves as well. We don’t get to know people in just a few minutes.

3 – Realize that we are dependent on the Lord to keep us safe, and pray for wisdom and

His protection.

4 – Before we vote someone into an office or a position in the church, we should make sure they fulfill the requirements set forth in Scripture, in the early church, as well as in I Timothy and Titus.

5 – We should apply the example God has given us in Acts 6:3, where the common people chose (not hand-picked by the pastor or church leaders) the potential leaders. The righteous lives of God-fearing people should be evident. We will look at this verse closely in the future.

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Lyndon Stimeling, of Richfield, has been writing about faith and family for many years. He has self-published four books, Common Thoughts on The Word in 2016, Eye of a Needle in 2017, Common Thoughts on The Word II in 2019 and A Bridge Between in 2023. He has also had articles published in The Coming Home Journal and local newspapers and has written a children’s book.