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

BIBLE PASSAGE:
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 will receive many opinions about what
it means to be a Christian. Chances are that even though their opinions
may differ, each one could be a ‘part’ of being a Christian.

However, all opinions should fall under one umbrella that’s 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. Partial obedience is still
disobedience.
    If you love me, keep my commands.
    (John 14:15)

If we have decided 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’s that important
to them. That’s 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’s not a suggestion, but a command from God to those who are part of His
family. That’s one thing families do – they meet together in their homes
(in this case, His home). 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, wouldn’t you agree?

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’s not a compliment but a condemnation of those who are disobedient. There
might be some health issues that prevent us from physically attending church,
but there are other ways to participate, and we should be using them as needed.

When we look at the verse in Hebrews, we are told that more will ‘drift away’
from church attendance as the return of Jesus gets nearer. It’s no surprise
that church attendance is steadily declining as more Christians join the ranks
of those who have chosen 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 who have decided other things are
more important to them. However, those who still love the Lord enough to obey
His commands 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 us to know and understand
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 where He has called them.

The Bible tells 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. Remember, we can sin
by doing the things God says we shouldn’t, but we can also sin by not doing things
He has told us to do.

ACTION:
Questions to consider:
    – How am I doing with obeying God’s commands?
    – Do I have my own list that only includes commands
       I like the ones you feel you can easily obey?
    – How important to me is His command to ‘meet together’?
       Do I consider it as a suggestion, or a command to be obeyed?

If we have a list of commands we will obey, then we are missing out on
the real meaning of being a Christian. True believers love God enough
that they have a desire to do whatever He expects of them as part of His
family. His commands are not to be considered as ‘chores’, but rather
as guidelines for loving and obeying 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 commands. Jesus, You have shown me how important the church
is to You. Help me to have 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.”

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