AS A CHRISTIAN, DO YOU ENJOY BEING A PART OF GOD’S FAMILY?

SCRIPTURE:
Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, 
but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day 
approaching.  
(Hebrews 10:25)

MEDITATION:
If you ask enough people, 
you can get all kinds of opinions about what it means to be a Christian.
Chances are that even though they may be different, 
each one could very well be a ‘part’ of being a Christian.

However, they all fall under one umbrella that is defined as 
“Loving the Lord enough to obey His commands”.
If we say we love Him, but decide to only obey certain commands 
that appeal to us, then we don’t love Him enough.
If you love me, keep my commands. (John 14:15)
Partial obedience is still disobedience.

If we decide that His commands are a buffet 
where we can select only the ones we like, then our love for Him is lacking.
People can find all kinds of reasons 
and ways to get to events like football games, concerts, etc.
Some will even go to an event when they are ill 
because it is that important to them.
That is the same kind of dedication and enthusiasm 
we should have about going to the Lord’s house.

When the scriptures say, “Let us not give up meeting together”, it is not 
a suggestion, but a command to those who claim to be part of God’s family.
That is one thing families do – they meet together in their homes.
With that thought in mind, it makes sense that God would want His family 
to meet with Him and other Christian family members at His home.

The scriptures tell us that some are "in the habit" 
of not meeting together as believers.
When God’s Word tells us that some are not obeying His command, 
it is not a compliment but a condemnation of those who are disobedient.

When we look at the verse in Hebrews, we are told that 
more will ‘drift away’ as the return of Jesus gets nearer.
It is no surprise that church attendance is steadily declining as more join 
the ranks of those choosing other things to replace meeting with God’s family.

We are given an additional reason 
for meeting together as family – to encourage each other.
It can be very discouraging to those who choose to obey His command when 
they see other members of God’s family deciding other things are more important.
However, those who still love the Lord enough to obey His command 
to meet together are an encouragement and lift the spirits of each other.

The obedience of others is also encouraging to preachers and teachers who 
dedicate themselves to sharing what God wants them to share about His Word.
When they work diligently to prepare and present what God leads them to share, 
it can be very discouraging when people start "falling away".
But when God's family gatherings stay the same size (or increase), 
it encourages those who are trying to serve the Lord as He has asked them to.

The Bible tell us how important the church (God’s people) is to Jesus.
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church 
and gave himself up for her. (Ephesians 5:25)
If Jesus loved the church enough to give Himself up for it, 
then it stands to reason that those who want to be like Jesus, 
should also want to give up (fill in the blank) for the church 
(and for Him) in obedience to the scriptures.

ACTION:
How are you doing with obeying God’s commands?
Do you have your own list that only includes the ones you like?
If you have a list, 
then you are missing out on the real meaning of being a Christian.
True believers love Him enough that they have a desire 
to do whatever He expects of them as part of His family.
His commands are not considered as ‘chores’, 
but rather guidelines for loving Him more.

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, thank You for Your book of instructions. Forgive me 
if I am guilty of obeying only what I choose, and ignoring Your other 
instructions. Jesus, You have shown me how important the church is to You. 
Help me to place the same level of importance on being with God’s family. 
Make me aware of how encouraging I can be to others by showing up at God’s 
family gatherings in His house. I want to love You enough that I will enjoy 
following the guidelines You have given to all those who claim to be a part 
of your family.”