Is the responsibility of every member to be at each and every service possible? When someone does not attend who really has no reason to be hindered (such as sickness or emergency), they naturally call into question their loyalty to the Lord. What has the time been set aside for? Worshiping God in song, studying His holy word, and encouraging His chosen people.
When people do not attend on Sunday evening, it becomes so much easier not to attend the Wednesday evening Bible class. This unfortunately often becomes a “vicious cycle” of unfaithfulness. And once that has begun, soon the person will be there sparingly on Sunday morning, and then not at all. I have seen it happen!
The scriptures do not teach that you will go to hell for not attending Sunday night assembly or Wednesday night Bible class, but you could stand condemned because you do not want to attend. To miss a time to assemble is like saying, “I do not want to be with the Lord,” and “I do not want to be with my brethren.” Surely you would not say that, but when you choose to not worship God when you had the chance, you are saying this loud and clear.
The Hebrew writer penned, “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 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” (Hebrews 10:24-25). There are several points to contemplate when you choose to not attend the “other” assemblies.
- By forsaking the “other” assemblies, we are not considering others, nor are we considering our spiritual welfare — only our physical desires and aims.
- By forsaking the “other” assemblies, we cannot stir our brethren to love and good works, neither can we ourselves be stirred by them to do the same.
- By forsaking the “other” assemblies, we violate the writer’s command.
- By forsaking the “other” assemblies, we fail to exhort one another.
- By forsaking the “other” assemblies, we fail to acknowledge that the great day of God is coming.
If Jesus were to return on a Sunday evening at 6:30 p.m. or on a Wednesday evening at 7:30 p.m., where will He find you and what will He find you doing? This is a serious thought for someone who forsakes the assembly of the saints on a Sunday evening or a Wednesday evening to consider. Be strong in the Lord and be here whenever you can!
Kyle Campbell