"We Go"
“We go to the church of Christ over at ______,” the lady said. I was going through her neighborhood, passing out advertisements to a recent meeting, when I happened upon her house. She was cordial and took the ad, but about the only words she could muster were, “We go…” Yet, as far as I know she is not a member at the congregation she mentioned. Nor had I ever seen her in attendance any of the several times I had attended a gospel meeting there. Her words struck me in a strange way. Had she convinced herself that attending the services of a ‘church of Christ’ every once-in-a-while was acceptable to the Lord?
The New Testament puts it this way: “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24-25). If you are a child of God such words ought to make a deep impression on your heart. As brethren and fellow partakers of the love of Christ we should do all we can to “consider one another,” doing all we possibly can to help each other to heaven. Such involves meeting with one another on a regular basis.
It is inconsiderate for any Christian to forsake the assembling of the church of which they are a part. There are some things that would keep a Christian from attending, things which would not constitute ‘forsaking’ (e.g., physical illness). But when a child of God allows relationships, entertainment, sporting events, etc. to take precedence over regularly scheduled assemblies of the saints, he has chosen to “forsake the assembling of ourselves together.” It is inconsiderate, but even more so, it is unlawful. The text says, “not forsaking–” That’s a negative command, a ‘thou shalt not.’ And it pertains to me and you.
–Mike
The New Testament puts it this way: “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24-25). If you are a child of God such words ought to make a deep impression on your heart. As brethren and fellow partakers of the love of Christ we should do all we can to “consider one another,” doing all we possibly can to help each other to heaven. Such involves meeting with one another on a regular basis.
It is inconsiderate for any Christian to forsake the assembling of the church of which they are a part. There are some things that would keep a Christian from attending, things which would not constitute ‘forsaking’ (e.g., physical illness). But when a child of God allows relationships, entertainment, sporting events, etc. to take precedence over regularly scheduled assemblies of the saints, he has chosen to “forsake the assembling of ourselves together.” It is inconsiderate, but even more so, it is unlawful. The text says, “not forsaking–” That’s a negative command, a ‘thou shalt not.’ And it pertains to me and you.
–Mike