Hebrews 1-:24-25

Hebrews 1-:24-25 "24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

This week I had the privilege of rewatching the Passion Conference online. I personally haven't been to a worship event in the last 4 years and was reminded about the importance of not forsaking the gathering of fellowship. In the past I never had an issue with this as I was a pastor and always gathering with the church. I remember when I was in that season, reading through that sciprture and going "CHECK!" as in I totally didnt have to worry about that one. This time when I read it, in my spirit I reconized I fall on the forsaking it side as many other have. Sure, I am doing things for the Kingdom. Sure I am active here in this group. We are coming together..but I know that God is calling us to more. I wanted to paste what Matthew Henrys Commentary has to say about this:

"Christians ought to have a tender consideration and concern for one another; they should affectionately consider what their several wants, weaknesses, and temptations are; and they should do this, not to reproach one another, to provoke one another not to anger, but to love and good works, calling upon themselves and one another to love God and Christ more, to love duty and holiness more, to love their brethren in Christ more, and to do all the good offices of Christian affection both to the bodies and the souls of each other. A good example given to others is the best and most effectual provocation to love and good works. 2. Not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together, Heb. 10:25. It is the will of Christ that his disciples should assemble together, sometimes more privately for conference and prayer, and in public for hearing and joining in all the ordinances of gospel worship. There were in the apostles’ times, and should be in every age, Christian assemblies for the worship of God, and for mutual edification. And it seems even in those times there were some who forsook these assemblies, and so began to apostatize from religion itself. The communion of saints is a great help and privilege, and a good means of steadiness and perseverance; hereby their hearts and hands are mutually strengthened. 3. To exhort one another, to exhort ourselves and each other, to warn ourselves and one another of the sin and danger of backsliding, to put ourselves and our fellow-christians in mind of our duty, of our failures and corruptions, to watch over one another, and be jealous of ourselves and one another with a godly jealousy. This, managed with a true gospel spirit, would be the best and most cordial friendship."

I find it interesting that as I was growing up I was surrounded by a lot of people who would say "God knows my heart" or "I pray to God everyday, I dont need to go to church". I knew that they were finding reason to not go to church because "oh you dont want me to go there, the church will surely catch fire if I walked through those doors". I'd roll my eyes and pray for them, hoping one day they would find a way to go to church with me. Now that I'm experiencing this from the other side, I can see how easy it is to make that sort of comment "God knows my heart". Yes He does. He also knows that my butt needs to be back in community with people. In all ways. not just online. Not just with the people I like. Not just when its convenient. God wants us to come together often. To break bread. To serve. To laugh. To worship. To learn. He created us for community because it was better than being alone. So as I sit in my thoughts today about the excuses Ive been making for not congregating, I know that God is calling me to more and that it's ok thats its been a while. The church wont burn down.