I wanted to share about his take on Hebrews 10:24-25. "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." The key words being 'assembling' and 'exhorting'.
You know the Scripture. We've heard it preached numerous times, especially when people are always 'missing' church. I think this Scripture is totally misunderstood. Even though we call our church gatherings an "assembly", the people are not assembled. They are gathered together. The way we are assembled together is through an intimate connection of friendship and fellowship. Let me explain further....
Using a factory as an example: We gather the parts together to build the final product, but until the parts are assembled together and connected, they cannot function for its proper use. All the parts are designed to operate together.
So with the Body of Christ. We love and accept everyone into the Body of Christ, but there are certain people we are suppose to be connected to in order for us to operate properly the gifts God has put in us.
Just think about this now, how there are so many churches who just have people gathered together, but not assembled (no connection through operation of the gifts). I see there are so many actually "forsaking the assembling of themselves together" and don't even know it, because they think gathering together is assembling....and it's not. We think just because we are attending church regularly, we are fulfilling this Scripture, but we can be GATHERED yet NOT ASSEMBLED. Interesting....huh?
Check out I Corinthians 14:26 - How is it then, brethren? when ye come together (assemble), every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
As far as exhorting, so many people out there already feel bad about themselves, so they don't need to be told all the time their faults. People need to hear more good about themselves, so it is good that we have each other to exhort or encourage one another.
I don't know about you, but my husband and I are finding it more difficult, as we get older and more mature in the Lord, to find the right people, of like faith, to be connected to. Some we have made a connection with, but life circumstances would some how take us in different directions. I am thankful that we have a few great connections still nearby, and I'm praying as time goes on, that we can have more and more connection, assembling, and ministry together with these individuals.
How about you? Are you attending a church regularly yet find yourself guilty of "forsaking the assembling of yourselves together" there?
Blessings,
Connie J. Schmoll
What a great post. Thank you Connie and you are so right. James and I prayed many years ago, "Lord, Christianity as we know it does not work. We want to know You and Your word the way YOU meant it and not the way we have always been told." He has been so faithful to continue to reveal truth to us and this is just another one of those times. Again, thank you and God bless you both.
ReplyDelete