We are busy people. Each day of the week, we keep many appointments--work, school, athletic events, social events, doctors' appointments, meetings, etc. They all demand our time. Many of us work 40 hours a week, sometimes more. In addition, we spend time with our families and participating in other activities. All of these things consume our time. We have to schedule our daily lives so we are on time for all these events.
For example, it is important that we be prompt in reporting for work on our jobs. Otherwise, we can expect a meeting with the supervisor, or our fellow workers will look down on us. Being late for work is never a good thing. It suggests lack of commitment, indifference, laziness, etc. So we make special efforts--be it going to bed a little earlier in the evening and waking up a few minutes earlier each morning, or setting more than one alarm--to ensure we arrive on time. We surely don't want to be late, or we will get in trouble.
Let's not forget other more important appointments that we need to keep. As a congregation, we've committed to meet together for the purpose of worshiping God, as the church of Christ.
- We meet on Sunday morning at 9 a.m. for Bible study and 10 a.m. for worship.
- We meet on Sunday evening at 6 p.m.
- We meet on Wednesday evening at 7 p.m.
This means we are expected to be here at those times, ready to engage in worship and fellowship with each other and the Lord. Hebrews 10:24-25 states, "And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near." The Hebrew writer was addressing a problem in the church: some of the saints failed to attend the "assembling."
This is not the word "assembly," which indicates one meeting, but "assembling" which encompasses all meetings of the saints. Some had made a habit, (i.e., custom, manner, routine, practice, tendency) of forsaking (i.e., abandoning, deserting, leaving behind) the assembling together of the saints. We all know what a habit is, and how difficult it is to break. Forsaking the assembling of the saints is a perilous habit. Do we put as much effort into being present and on time for our assembling together as we do into getting to our jobs? If not, why not.
Brethren, listen to the Scriptures:
- "You also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 2:5)
- "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood a holy nation, a people for God's own possession so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." (1 Peter 2:9)
Does our promptness in being present for our assembling together reflect the facts presented in these verses? When one habitually arrives late, it causes wonder and concern among the brethren. When one misses the gathering together of us all, he is missed. He has forgone an opportunity to have fellowship with the saints and the Lord, to sing, to pray, to give, to partake of the Lord's Supper, and to hear the gospel message. This is true whether it is a Sunday, a Wednesday, or a gospel meeting. What can we do for those who are weak in this area? "Let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds."