20-DAY CHALLENGE: LIVING THE CHRISTIAN LIFE (DAY-17)

20-DAY CHALLENGE: LIVING THE CHRISTIAN LIFE (Day 17)

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 can get
all kinds of opinions about what it means to be a Christian.
Chances are that even though they may be different,
each opinion 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
(partial obedience is still disobedience).
If you love me, keep my commands. (John 14:15)

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.

Of course with the pandemic, some have to avoid crowds
due to their medical condition and weakened immune system,
but many church services can still be accessed through
television or social media until the pandemic is over.

We are given an additional reason
for meeting together as family – to encourage each other.
It can be very discouraging to those who have chosen to
obey His command of ‘meeting together’ when they see other
members of God’s family replacing worship with other things
they consider more important to them.

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.
For those who cannot attend church for medical reasons it is
essential for them to stay in touch with other members of God’s family.

The obedience of others is also encouraging to preachers
and teachers who have dedicated themselves to sharing
what God wants them to distribute 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 do not decrease in
size (or when they increase), it encourages those who are
using their spiritual gift to serve the Lord as He has called them.

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 something (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.

Have you discovered the spiritual gift God has give you
and if so, how are you using it?

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.”