How would you determine the value of a diamond ring? You would likely ask for an appraisal by a competent authority. How would one determine the value of assembling with the saints to worship God? Would it not also be wise to seek the appraisal of Him who has all authority? “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” (Heb. 10:25).
God did not arbitrarily command us to assemble just to give us someplace to go. The book of Hebrews was written to restrain the apostasy that was underway among certain brethren. One of God’s safeguards, designed to protect them from apostasy, was faithful attendance in the assemblies of the saints.
Some say, “I can stay home and watch church services on the TV and get as much out of it as if I were present.” Even if we grant the truthfulness of this claim, the consequences of such an attitude are significant:
(1) This says that we are free to disobey God’s commands if we find a “better way” to reach their objectives. The early Christians should have stayed home to read the New Testament instead of assembling as God commanded!
(2) It says that we have learned more than God. He commanded His people to assemble. Staying at home is the opposite of assembling, yet we are told it is just as good.
Our age may be short on faithfulness to the Lord, but we have more than enough excuses to go around.
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