February 14, 2020

Miss less, love more by Gary Rose



At first glance, this statement sounded contradictory, but then – I realized it is SO TRUE. Why? Well human beings are creatures of habit. Once we form a habit, it becomes almost automatic; its something we just do, period. But, when you break the pattern of your life that includes that habit, things change. You look for other ways of “filling up your day” and place priorities on different things.
What happens when you “miss church”? You miss the celebration of the Lord’s supper, the fellowship of kindred minds, a commitment to your LORD and MASTER, the beauty of hymns praising God and allow other things to take their place. Reality is: people get sick, the car breaks down, you might accidentally forget to set the alarm and many other things can happen that could would seriously interfere with your ability to be with other Christians and worship God.

If you have attended a church of Christ for any length of time, you will notice that there is a strong emphasis on attendance. Undoubtedly, you may have heard Hebrews 10:25 again and again and again. But, not so often do we hear the verse couched within its context. The writer to the Hebrews says this…



Hebrews 10 ( World English Bible )
  [24]  Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good works,  [25] not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as you see the Day approaching.  [26] For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more a sacrifice for sins,  [27] but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which will devour the adversaries.  [28] A man who disregards Moses’ law dies without compassion on the word of two or three witnesses.  [29] How much worse punishment, do you think, will he be judged worthy of, who has trodden under foot the Son of God, and has counted the blood of the covenant with which he was sanctified an unholy thing, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?  [30] For we know him who said, “Vengeance belongs to me,” says the Lord, “I will repay.” Again, “The Lord will judge his people.”  [31] It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.


If we make it a willful habit to forsake our assembly, we insult the God who gave his life for us. Jesus suffered, bled and died for us and then we can’t be bothered to even attend worship services! I wonder, how God feels about that? Occasionally, I think he would understand, but habitually, not at all. Put in human terms- he would doubt our love for him and our commitment as his disciples. Don’t put yourself in the position of having Hebrews 10:31 apply to you, for it would be unpleasant to say the least. Love God and the brethren, worship the creator of the universe and the savior of your soul. Be very, very careful about missing the assembly (church). I say all these things, because I love all my fellow Christians and want the best for them! Consider yourself provoked to love and good works.
P.S. one last thing – 

Come Sunday- BE THERE!

No comments:

Post a Comment