“And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:24,25)
What should be the end result of our coming together as the people of God? First and foremost, a stirring to love God as He deserves and wants to be loved. We are called to love God with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength. Proceeding out of this love toward God should be our love toward man. We can give all our goods to feed the poor and yet have no love for God.
Loving God is the first and greatest commandment. Those that love God serve God. They delight to do His will. They live to bring Him pleasure. They want fellowship and friendship with Him. They are not content to check in with Him periodically, they go to church to be reinvigorated in a wholehearted pursuit and devotion toward God.
The primary purpose of going to church is not to salve our conscience that we have done our religious duty; neither is it to have some outlet by which we feel we are serving God. The church should be a place where we are set on fire afresh to worship God in spirit and in truth, and love Him more than we ever have before. All we do should flow out of this love.