ONLINE CHURCH BULLETIN

WE NEED EACH OTHER

With all the sweetness of Jesus in the book of Hebrews, one is left with the sour taste that falling away from Jesus Christ is not beyond the realm of possibility. In fact, each Christian has every reason to store such in his long-term memory (10:26-28). In the case of the first readers of Hebrews, the apostatizing mind was indicated by the failure of some to gather with their brothers and sisters when they assembled. In the mind of the author, there was little doubt that neglect of the assembly would lead to the destruction of one's faith. He writes in 10:24-25, "...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."

Why is it that a failure to assemble leads to a destruction of one's faith? Simply put, we need each other! We need to be loved and encouraged to live for Jesus; but, more importantly, we ourselves need to love and encourage others. Love for others cannot be shown in separation. Christians cannot function in the spiritual realm in isolation. When this happens we open ourselves up to the enemy, the devil, who prowls around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour (I Peter 5:8). And when a saint is devoured, he is stripped of his clothing of righteousness and is forced to line up with the rest of the fugitives who have trampled the Son of God under foot.

The message is simple: if you want to be with Jesus in heaven, then you must join with those who strive to be like Jesus while on earth.

For His Cause,
Tim Woodward