Steven Harper
Almost every week, brethren make an effort to encourage some who, for some reason or another, cannot find it in their hearts to serve the Lord as they should. Some have become weak in their faith and they cannot find time to come worship the God they claim to believe. Some have slipped back into habits they were in before they obeyed the gospel. Some just do not see the need to study God's word so they never come to Bible classes. Some apparently feel their presence is required only if absolutely necessary, or only to soothe their conscience until next Sunday morning. [Or maybe the one after that.]
As disciples, this type of thinking should be completely foreign to us. We should have such a strong love for God (Matt. 22:37) that instead of asking, "Where does it say I have to be there on Sunday night or Wednesday night?" we will ask, "When can we come together to worship God again?" But what would it take to get you to completely dedicate your life to Christ, and to serve Him faithfully? What would it take to get you to come to Bible classes every time they are offered? What would it take to get you to come back this Sunday evening, and again on Wednesday? What would it take for you to obey the gospel and become a child of God? Please tell me! What would it take?
More Love From God? Do you think if God would only show more love, you would feel He is worthy of your time? Well, maybe you didn't know that God was the one who loved us first (1 John 4:19), and demonstrated His love by sending His only Son to die for our sins (vv. 9, 10; Rom. 5:8). Maybe you didn't know [or have forgotten] that God has given us all things we need (2 Pet. 1:3) and would give us more if he could (Matt. 7:11), but he has given us the greatest thing that could ever be given (Rom. 8:32). Maybe you didn't know these things, or maybe you have forgotten, but God already loves us — and not just a little!
Maybe you do not know of the love Jesus Christ has for us? Maybe you do not know that He left the glories of heaven and became poor for our sakes that we might become rich (2 Cor. 8:9). Maybe you do not know that He humbled Himself to the point that He died a shameful death on the cross for us, setting aside any glory or honor that He once had when He was in heaven (Phlp. 2:5-8). Maybe you do not know that He suffered this shame for us (Gal. 3:13). Maybe you did not know these things, but we can certainly not say that Christ did not love us enough! What more could He do than to give His own life?
Maybe you didn't know that, because God loved us as He did, we can be called His children (1 John 3:1). Through faith in Jesus Christ (Gal. 3:26) and obedience to his will (Col. 2:11-13), we can escape the snare of the devil and be freed from that bondage. Maybe you didn't know that such a demonstration of love should compel us to return that love! Maybe you didn't know that real love [as defined by the one who is love (God, 1 John 4:8)] means we keep His commandments (John 14:15). Maybe you didn't know that love is not simply an oral exclamation of an emotional affection, but a visible demonstration by obedience to His commandments (1 John 5:3).
Maybe you didn't know that, because God loved us, we should love one another as brethren (4:11). Maybe you didn't know [or have forgotten] that, because Christ died for us, we should be willing to lay down our lives for the brethren, or at least share our material goods with them if they are in need (3:16-18).
A Better System Of Worship? Maybe you are thinking, "If I could only get more out of the worship, it would be worth my time." It may be that you look at the worship of God as only "What can I get out of it?" instead of "What can I put in to it?" Maybe you do not leave the assembly feeling closer to God because the songs were a little slow and the preacher was a little too long and a little [or a lot] too boring.
I must say that the object of our worship could not be any better. Surely, we could find no one more worthy of our worship than God Himself! This is the one who created all things and gave us life — the one who still holds our breath in His hand (Job 12:10). Maybe you didn't know [or have forgotten] that this is the God like no other (Psa. 86:8), the God who is above all gods (135:5). Maybe you didn't know [or have forgotten] that He has been described as one who is "to be greatly feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be held in reverence by all those around Him." (89:6-8) It may be that you did not know that He is actually seeking people to worship Him! Maybe you are one of those people? Only if you are willing to worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:23, 24). Maybe you didn't know that worship is defined as the reverent love shown to God, and it means we must come to worship Him with a deep respect and devotion to Him already, and not with some expectation that we will be emotionally stirred by the singing or the "warm, friendly atmosphere" and think we are somehow "closer to God" than when we arrived.
Maybe you did not know that the worship of the church was established by God Himself, and is not determined by the cultural practices or traditions of whatever country where one may reside. It may be that you did not know that Jesus is the head of the church — set in place by God to have the preeminence in all things (Col. 1:18). Maybe you thought "church" was all about what the members wanted instead of what the Head of the church wants and has established. Maybe you never knew that whatever we do, in word or in deed, is to be done by His authority (3:17) because He has been given all authority (Matt. 28:18) and the church's part is to be in subjection to Him (Eph. 5:24).
Maybe you didn't know that, when we come together as the church, we do so to remember Christ's death (Acts 20:7), to hear the word of God preached (14:27), to pray to God (12:12), to sing (Eph. 5:19), to give of our means for the needs of the work and individuals (1 Cor. 16:1, 2), and for the edification of one another (Heb. 10:24, 25; 1 Cor. 14:26). Maybe you have not stopped to consider that if you are not here, you cannot be practicing these things, as the disciples of the first century did. We cannot "with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" if we are not together! We cannot edify one another if we are not gathered together! We cannot demonstrate any measure of our feelings of God's worth if we never worship Him! He cannot be honored if we put other things before Him! Whatever we may say to ourselves to convince ourselves that we "really" love God, it will be evident to all if we do, and we will not even have to say a word.
A Better Group With Whom To Worship? Maybe you are thinking, "The church is full of hypocrites, anyway!" and use this as your excuse for not being a part of one, or for not coming to the worship assembly as often as you should. Maybe you haven't considered that you will not find a better group of people anywhere in this world. Are they perfect? No, for all sin (1 John 1:8). But these are the ones who have been washed in the blood of Jesus Christ (Rev. 1:5) and who are striving to become like their Master (Luke 6:40) and bear their crosses daily (14:27). Will they occasionally stumble? Yes, but these are ones sanctified and justified by Christ (1 Cor. 6:9-11), forsaking their own fleshly lusts that they may have the hope of heaven.
If you have not obeyed the gospel yet, what more could God offer to you? He offered His Son and He offers eternal life if you would but obey. What more would it take? And for those who haven't fully dedicated themselves to God because other things are getting in the way, what more could God promise to you for your faithful service? —— Steven Harper
