Do Not Forsake Gathering

Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have the confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 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. If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left …
Hebrews 10:19-26

DEVOTION

As you read this passage in Hebrews, you will notice this very interesting command: “Do not give up meeting together.”

Apparently, even 2,000 years ago, it was important to remind the people of the early church the value of gathering together.

As we look at this passage, we find that gathering together wasn’t important to make sure church attendance stayed high, it wasn’t so the new church building could finish construction, or to ensure the local pastor was happy with everyone. Gathering together has eternal spiritual consequences: souls are on the line, and there is something mighty at work in the gathering.

This passage in Hebrews shows us the beauty that occurs when the body of Christ, the church, gathers together:

Let us draw near… Look at verse 22. As we gather together and worship God in his time, in his place, with his people, we draw near to something reverent and majestic. Our time of worship is sanctified, it is set apart, it is holy. Verse 22 says we draw near to him with “the full assurance that faith brings.” Our gathering together is a critical component for us to learn what it means to live by faith.

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we have professed… In verse 23, we are reminded that as we gather together, we are encouraged to stand firm to the hope we have in Christ. As a church that seeks to be a voice of hope in our community, we must realize gathering together will produce a hope that we can then profess.

Let us consider how we will spur one another on toward love… In verse 24, we see that gathering together will encourage us, strengthen us, and spur each other towards love. This word “spur” is a strong word—it is active, it is moving, it is exciting. We gather together as people from various backgrounds, cultures, and all walks of life. We are a community of believers who encourage each other to be known by love.

When each person plays their unique role, we become one body and one church strengthened together to live by faith, be a voice of hope, and be known by love.

But none of this is possible if we neglect the simple command that is so prescient to our lives: “Do not give up meeting together.” Or, said another way, do not forsake the gathering.

This command is a loving warning from God of what follows when we neglect the simple instruction of gathering together (read verse 26 and beyond).

If we know that this is a command of God for our good and our neighbor’s good with eternal spiritual consequences—

For the good of the lonely widow, for the good of the addict who is hit rock bottom—

For the good of the child learning the wisdom of God, for the good of the man who put his identity in his career and it has failed him—

If we know to gather together is a loving command of our God, why would we not obey him and risk falling away or not being present when someone needs encouragement and love?

There is power in the gathering. We can never underestimate what God will do as his people come together. This is a personal command meant to call us to action because it is for our good and he loves us so.

When the rush of life overtakes you and you have to either gather or spend time dealing with the pressures and stresses of this world, choose to gather and trust in the good commands of our loving God.

PRAYER

Jesus,

Thank you that your character is trustworthy. You are always faithful and care more about the details of our life than we can imagine. Help fill our hearts with your peace when worry tries to consume our thoughts. Remind us of your love.

Amen.

Blake Bastin

Executive Pastor

bbastin@crossings.church

Blake Bastin is Executive Pastor – Ministry & Operations at Crossings Community Church.

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