We Gather Here . . .

God created us to be in a family.  For almost every one of us, our earliest memory is that of belonging to a group of people - father, mother, or siblings.  God's design in creating us within a family environment is for our protection, and for us to learn what love is about.  Our happiest memories in life are almost always together with our families or a closely-knit group of friends.

Unfortunately, as we grow up, we lose sight of God's design and lead lives that are increasingly devoid of love and trust.  For many people, days may go by without receiving or giving encouragement, or having a deep heart-to-heart talk with someone who cares about us.

(Ephesians 2:19) Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.

Knowing how easy it is for us to lose our hearts, God designed the church to be the household in which we can protect our hearts and feel free to love again. The bible is clear that God's household is not just a place where people mingle once a week, but rather a group of people who gather together as often as possible to protect one another's hearts.  It is not just the quantity in the number of times that we meet up together, but it is also the quality and depth of our relationships that will help to protect our hearts.

(Ephesians 4:15-16) Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.  From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

(Hebrews 10:24-25) And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.  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.

One of the themes that run throughout the bible is that we need other people in our lives to have a consistently deep relationship with God.  A sincere and earnest heart may get one started in his journey to heaven, but what’s required to make it to our destination is the helping hands and healing words of those who are committed to us in love.  We need people to teach us how to be more Christ-like, as well as hold us accountable to the pledge we made to obey our Lord Jesus.

Let us, as the bible says, not give up meeting together in church so that we may love others and be loved by others.  Whether we live in a fast-paced modern society, or one filled with inconvenience and danger, we need to be committed to prioritizing our time by fellowshipping with the Christians for Sunday worship, midweek services, and bible talk meetings.  Above and beyond meeting with our spiritual family, we need to be committed to getting our hearts discipled, either by a spiritual mentor or a group of friends dedicated to helping each other make it to heaven.

Therefore, let us also remember that while each one of us will face God alone on judgment day, He has given us a spiritual family to protect our hearts here on earth.  Let us also strengthen the bonds of our brotherhood, for togetherness is our strength!