This is copied from the November 11, 1973 edition of Reminders, a weekly publication of the Moundsville Church of Christ in Moundsville, West Virginia. A. D. Kimble was the editor. They credit this to The Visitor from Haynesville, Louisiana.
The above question is often asked by church members. It is one which deserves some very careful consideration by all of us but especially by those who occasionally absent themselves from the assemblies. The question emanates from a false attitude; the attitude that one is going to try to get by with a minimum of service rather than the maximum. Certainly, we would not say it is a sin to miss one or more services due to unavoidable hinderances but we are not talking about such absences in this article. We have in mind the fellow who misses JUST ONE service because he doesn't care to go. He had rather do something else.
To get to the heart of the question, consider the following. If one doesn't sin when he INDIFFERENTLY misses JUST ONE service, how many does he have to miss before he sins? Two, four, six or a hundred? At which absence does he become a sinner in need of repentance and by what authority do you answer? The truth of the matter is that if it is a sin to miss a hundred assemblies, it is a sin to miss JUST ONE service. If not, why not?
Take this imaginary situation for example. Brother John Doe misses 8 or 10 and the church begins to wonder. Finally, he is absent a whole year and the elders go out to talk to him about his condition. When he asked for the nature of the offense, the reply was that he had forsaken the assembling with the saints. What if he should ask for the specific time at which he became a sinner? What could they say? Could they rebuke him for missing the first, third or one hundredth service? And if they should rebuke him for forsaking the assembling for one year, why shouldn't they rebuke him for foresaking the assembling for one week? Why should it be wrong to miss a year but alright to miss one week?
The only conclusion that one can come to is that missing JUST ONE service is sin. Many have never really seriously considered their duty to attend the assemblies and hence feel no guilt, regardless of how often they are absent.
We should all compare what we do for the Lord with what He has done for us, and hang our heads in shame for our lack of sacrifice for Him. We need to repent while we still have time. One day we shall stand before the Great Judge of all with unbearable disappointment for our lukewarm and half-hearted service. When that time comes, we will wish we had given heed to such admonitions as those uttered by Paul in the following words. "Not forsaking the assembling of our selves together." (Hebrews 10:25)
May I ask this question... What is the church? Is it the building or a certain place of assembly or isn't it the body of Christ (the people)? If it is the building, then there would be cause for concern. However, is a person not a Christian if they don't go to the building every week? Isn't it the gathering of fellow believers to share and build & encourage each other in our Christian walk?
ReplyDeleteMy point is not to do away with churches. We need to refresh and mature in our faith frequently and regularly. My point is that we carry the church with us wherever we go, not just at the building with the cross on a steeple.
Thanks for your comments. I apologize for taking so long to respond. I agree that we as members of the body of Christ are indeed the church. When we willfully miss opportunities to gather together for the purpose of worship, I do believe it's a cause for concern.
ReplyDeleteShould we not follow the examples provided for us in the New Testament? Did those first century Christians not meet at least once a week? When we decide we have better things to do than assemble together, are we really seeking, "first the kingdom of God and His righteousness?" (Math. 6:33) More importantly, am I considering my brothers and sisters, "in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another..." (Hebrews 10:24-25) if I neglect the assembly for no good reason?
If I love God and want to follow His commandments, if I want to edify other Christians, why would I not want to be at the worship service at every opportunity?