Scripture: Hebrews 10:19-25 (ESV)
“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 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, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
We live in a hyper individualistic culture. We live in a society that believes that the number one person we should care about is ourselves. We have sayings like “look after number one”, meaning we should care for ourselves first, and others later. We find it strange and somewhat baffling when someone would sacrifice their own happiness for the sake of their community.
This hyper individualism also influences our theology and our church practice. It has become ever more common to hear phrases like “You don’t need to go to church to be a Christian”. Of course this is true. The thief on the cross never had the chance to join a local church body, and yet he had faith in Jesus and was saved. There are many stories of Christians who have been imprisoned for their faith and are prevented from meeting with other believers. There are places in the world where there are only one or two believers in an entire city, and they cannot meet as a church simply because the church there doesn’t exist!
But when we read this passage it becomes clear just how unusual those situations are. Follow the author of Hebrews’ logic. Since we have been washed clean by Jesus’ once for all sacrifice, and since we can enter into God’s presence with boldness, let’s draw near to God by holding on to the gospel, and let’s spur each other on as we meet together.
In fact it is assumed that since a person has faith, that they will want to meet with other believers, precisely because we human beings have a tendency to drift away. Apart from the very exceptional circumstances of persecution and the forefronts of mission, we need each other in order to hold fast to our confession.
“I am a Christian but I don’t go to church” or “I am have a personal relationship with Jesus, but the church puts me off” are statements that are completely foreign to scripture.
God has given us each other to help us “not neglect” meeting together. So go to church!
Prayer:
Dear Lord, thank you for giving us each other. Please help us spur each other on in good works and help us to not neglect meeting together as some are in the habit of doing. Help us help each other.
Amen.
Spiritual Challenge:
Consider who you might encourage to return to active participation in your local church. Help them take a step back toward Jesus.
The Importance of Meeting Together