“Church is not just another gathering. It is the gathering of the saints of God.”
I met an ‘okada’ (in some parts of Africa, these are commercial motor riders) on 1st January 2021 after Watch Night Service and got into conversation about Christianity and church. I do that often with random people I meet. It’s my simple way to start and share the gospel with unbelievers.
READ ALSO: Take Your Family Along
When I met this guy I asked him whether he is a Christian and he said yes. I pressed on to ask the last time he went to church and he answered about two months ago. That means he had not been in church since October 2020. Interesting for a Christian to stay home or be involved in other things other than fellowshipping with other saints. I then asked my last question: “how do you feel since you have not been going to church?” My new friend said: “oh, I am ok”. Think about that: a person claiming to be redeemed sees nothing wrong with not going to church. It’s like someone who registers for a school and does not attend at all.
There is everything wrong if you are a Christian but do not attend church. Church is not just another gathering. It is the gathering of the saints of God. It is the redeemed gathering to praise our maker and exhort one another. It is different if you are challenged by obvious reasons like sickness.
Hebrews 10:25 says,
“…not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”
From the text above, we must not forsake the gathering of the saints. Jesus did not forsake the gathering of the saints. The apostles did not forsake the gathering of the saints. We, the redeemed, bought with the precious blood of Christ, must not forsake the gathering of fellow believers. If there be any reason, resolve it and return to your love for the gathering of the saints.
Lastly, it is obvious from the pages of Scriptures that when the saints meet, the pray together, they confess one to another, they exhort one another, and they encourage one another. Indeed, we are most urged on in our walk of faith when we come in the congregation of the righteous.
May the Lord help you to resolve any issue you are faced with so that you can return to fellowship.
What has been your own experience with this topic? Share with us.
Discover more from Living Our Bible
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
