If We Are Saved By Christ Why Read the Bible And Go To Church

But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. (Romans 3:21-22 NLT)

If we can be saved by believing that Christ had died for our sin and without keeping the requirements of the law, why do we need to read the Bible and go to church?

Let say a man believed in Christ at the age of 16 and then for 80 years he did not read the Bible and go to church. At his death bed at 96, what will happen?

He may remember that he is a Christian but and he does not know what to do. All his friends and relatives are non-Christians, and none can advise. Some of his friends and relatives may think that Christianity is like all other religions. So they called a Roman Catholic priest to perform last rites for him. But he said, "I am not a Catholic. I remember that it is not like that. Does anyone have a Bible for me to check?" Then when offered a Bible, he will flip the pages and hope to find the answer, but will he find it? Then they may get a pastor, but will he end up with a pastor who know the gospel or just some liberal pastor who is equally clueless about salvation? Of course, by the skin of his teeth, he may remember that eternal life is to trust in Jesus and once again cried out to the Lord for mercy before he passes on.

When we do our daily work, whether we are bosses who run big companies or clerks who do daily operation, don't we plan our work to ensure success? If we put so much effort into work and do not count for eternity, why are we neglecting the work that is needed to assure our eternal life?

While we do not need to read the Bible and go to church to be saved, we need to build our faith and assurance. If we have no knowledge of our Saviour, how can we have the faith that He will save us on that day? We will not even know that salvation is as easy as believing in Christ. Let say we have a friend whom we did not meet for 80 years. Will we be able to recognise each other when we meet? If we did not read the Bible and go to church for a long time, will we believe that Jesus is still willing to save us? And we will not know that it is written in the Bible that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life (John 3:15).

And what about the family and children? We spent money on the children's education to ensure that they will slog hard in the world in work that do not last for eternity. But what about their eternal salvation? Without us leading the way to go to church and read the Bible, the children will not know Jesus. They will be on their way to eternal damnation while having a good education and slogging hard in the world to make money that they cannot bring with them.

Christians who do not go to church and read the Bible are reducing the probability of their own salvation and cutting off the knowledge of eternal life from their loved ones around them. 

But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God's love. And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering. Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives. (Jude 20-23 NLT)