and let us consider how to stimulate one
another to love and good deeds, not
forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but
encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:23-25)
ASSEMBLE
TOGETHER
Stimulating
and encouraging is to include the getting of people together in worship. The command here is to not abandon (“forsake,
leave behind, or desert”) their gathering together; their worship. You cannot be stirred up to love and ministry
if you stay away from worship in the Father’s House.
Church
going has fallen on difficult times lately. For some Christians it is a weak substitute
for a picnic on a rainy Sunday. Excuses
are as plentiful as quarters in the collection plate. The fact is many professing Christians don't
think church is all that important. They
think they can be perfectly good Christians without being part of a local
congregation.
God
disagrees! For one thing, our own
spiritual welfare is not to be our only concern. We go to church not just to get but to give…to
spur on other Christian to "love and good works" (Hebrews 10:24). If we stay away, we may give them
an excuse to be careless.
On
the other hand, if we attend with enthusiasm, we encourage other believers in
their ambition to draw near to Christ. If
we are faithful in meeting together with them, we will honor the Lord, grow in
our faith, and give a strong witness to the world. We will also become a vital part of the lives
of our brothers and sisters in Christ.
The Christian faith allows no room for rugged
individualists. To have a fire, you need
more than one coal. You also need a
spark and a draft of air. One humble,
open, involved individual set on fire by Christ, can be the spark. The Holy Spirit, the breath of God, may blow
on that spark and set a congregation ablaze. -Haddon Robinson
Our
hearts are sometimes cold. Fellowship can kindle warmth and make our witness
bold. If we are honest, we must say that
fellowship builds us up and binds us together.
Nowhere in the Bible does it say that names on a church membership roll
means we’re saved. That doesn't mean,
however, that joining with other believers in a local church is not vital to
our spiritual growth. Gathering
regularly for worship and instruction encourages love for others, good works,
and mutual accountability.
An
article some time ago likened the Christian without a church to:
•
a student who
won't go to school
•
a soldier without
an army
•
a citizen who
won't vote
•
a seaman without
a ship
•
a child without a
family
•
a drummer without
a band
•
a ballplayer
without a team
•
a honeybee
without a hive
•
a scientist who
does not share his findings with his colleagues
Don’t
neglect one of God's greatest provisions for your spiritual growth. Get into
God's Word and start attending church faithfully. Don't be a churchless Christian - get
involved! Remember, “Seven days without
church makes one weak.”
Scripture to
Claim:
I was glad when they said to me,
"Let us go to the house of the LORD."
(Psalms 122:1)
