Forsake Not The Assembling of Yourselves Together
Forsake Not The Assembling of Yourselves Together
by Steve Hulshizer
Poor attendance at assembly gatherings is a very common problem today, particularly among those fifty years of age and under. In many cases, those who are most faithful are those who are aged, and often ailing. Those who would frequently have an legitimate excuse for not coming to the gatherings, but who are not looking for one.
There is a general indifference to the Lord's things today. There are many saints today who are what some refer to as SMOC's (Sunday Morning Only Christians). Many have a number of other activities that limit their attendance at the meetings, and rather than recognizing and addressing the problem, many churches have simply adjusted their schedule around the lackadaisical attitude of the people. In many cases even this has not increased attendance.
The failure of the Lord's people to attend the meetings of the church is not a new one, but it is one that is far worse today than it was several decades ago. The writer of the epistle to the Hebrews exhorted them not to forsake coming together for spiritual purposes. (Heb. 10:25) Perhaps persecution had caused some to stop gathering with the saints. Interestingly, throughout the church age persecution has not usually kept the Lord's people from gathering. The pleasures of our day have been far more successful in accomplishing this.
A recent article in Reader's Digest (8/91) entitled, "China's Daring Under-ground of Faith," highlights the fact that while Christians are being persecuted once again in China, they still desire to gather with the Lord's people, and often do so at great risk. Meeting in small rooms and caves, and singing from hand-stenciled hymn books and Bibles has not dampened their desire to gather together despite the very real danger of being imprisoned, or worse.
Mention is made of one brother who spent 20 years in slave labor in a coal mine due to his preaching of the Gospel. When he was released in 1978 he gathered a small group together, and over the next decade baptized more than 1,000 individuals, including the children of high-ranking Communist Party officials. However, since the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre there has been a new wave of repression, and in early 1990 the police broke into their service and confiscated all of the Bibles, tracts, and hymnals. Christians are being arrested and sentenced to forced-labor camps. Despite this the saints still gather together, often traveling in darkness, and moving from house to house in order to avoid arrest.
Many want to put the blame on the local assembly. The major problem stems from our attitude toward, and interest in spiritual things. When we read of Christians gathering under such adverse conditions we can not avoid being challenged regarding our own attitude towards gathering together with the Lord's people. It is obvious that the pleasures, possessions, and pressures of this world have influenced our priorities. There is no doubt that TV, sports, sleep, family, business, recreation, and many other such things have caused the saints to forsake gathering with the Lord's people far more than persecution has.
Many want to put the blame on the local assembly. The speakers aren't that good. The topics are not relevant. The Bible studies are boring. The prayers are too long. While these things may be true to some degree, I have a feeling that the saints in China would probably disagree. The major problem stems from our attitude toward, and interest in spiritual things.
Brothers and sisters, we need to test our hearts! We need to be honest in the sight of the Lord. Many have left their first love, and are lukewarm (Rev. 2:4; 3:16). Many are willing to be entertained, but have very little, or no interest in spiritual things. May the Lord exercise our hearts to meet with the saints and give us a thirst for His Word (1 Pet. 2:2). May He give us a renewed sense of the wonderful privilege we have to be able to meet with the Lord's people so freely. May He also give us a sense of the responsibility associated with this freedom.
Milk and Honey, Vol. VI, Oct. 1991
