“Let us
consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to
meet together…” (Hebrews 10:24-25)
“I missed
you at church Sunday.” I know the warmth of the love in these words spoken by
Christians to those who skipped worship services. The sweetness is genuine
concern for others. We want to stir you to love. We want to stir you to obey
God. We want to encourage you.
There are
blessings the Lord gives you in the church assembled that you cannot have
alone. Skipping church starves your heart and mind from the cravings the Lord
has given your new heart and renewing mind. We need our love stirred by other followers
of Jesus. We need our hearts stirred to obey the Lord. We need Godly
interaction for spiritual growth and delight in the Lord. The command of grace
to love one another is tasted and seen as good when we regularly meet together.
God commands
us to regularly meet together with the focus on how to meet: to stir our love
and good works, to serve one another and bear one another’s burdens. Often, our
brokenness inclines our hearts to want to skip church. But a genuine church is
genuine people gathering because of Christ’s redeeming work. Can we meet
regularly and be authentically broken together?
It is
unhealthy for you to miss the worship gathering, but we too miss out on a
blessing. You see, we love you personally. If we do not know you yet, we desire
to love you personally. We want the real you, to encourage your walk following
Jesus. As a church, we are blessed when we obey Jesus’ command to love His
disciples.
Whether you
have wandered or are going through a trial or rough season, come to worship services.
Your spiritual starvation is a yearning to grow in His grace with us. The gloom
of our dense spiritual fog is lifted in the warm communion of the saints
gathered to adore Christ together.
Heavenly Father, Your holy Word commands us to love one another. We love
with Your love. Fill our hearts with the love of the Father that first loved
us, the love that sent our Savior while we were yet sinners. May our genuine
fellowship in Your rich mercies stir the hearts of Your people to Your glory.
In the precious Name of Christ. Amen.
