Gleanings – Showing Up

Hebrews 10:11-25

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, . . “

As passionately as I say the day of sacrifice is over and that God would give up an hour on Sunday if He could have us the other six days and twenty-three hours of our lives, I hasten to add with as much passion, we cannot neglect assembling together. Many say I worship as I take a walk through the woods or fellowship on the greens. Ok but assemble too.

It has to do with witness. We order our lives differently as followers of Jesus and that includes our calendars. We say to the world praise of God or worship (to assign worthiness) is a higher priority than commerce, politics, and even leisure. In an age where time is precious the statement is all the more powerful.

It has to do with encouragement as well. Of course we can encourage one another by phone or letter (boomers) or text or tweet (everyone thereafter). But such encouragement needs to be bolstered by a regular face to face. We are designed for relationships and proximity certainly enhances them. The assembly also reminds us that we are not alone in faith nor in the price we pay for it. In an age where faith and people of faith are marginalized more and more, isolation could easily be the outcome. In standing shoulder to shoulder with other believers in the assembly, we find the strength to soldier onward.

So it is both/and. Our worship is first and primarily in our obedience and sacrificial living apart from the assembly. But it continues in the assembly as well and is meant to further the Kingdom. So assemble. Sure, honor God on the golf course but gather with fellow believers as well.

This entry was posted on Friday, January 27th, 2012 at 12:03 PM. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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