Meeting Together

I recently listened to an excellent sermon by Dr. Donald Whitney and he lamented the breakdown of intimate personal relationships in our society. In an age of instant messaging it is likely that one might know a stranger across the world more than they do their neighbor.

The church, however, is to be a one another community of love. Think about the Scriptural instruction that we "meet together." "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).

When we regularly meet (or assemble) together we should "consider one another." Coming together demands thoughtful consideration of our fellow brothers and sisters in the faith. In coming together we are seeking to "stir up love and good works." There is an urgency to the call for us to "exhort one another" as the "Day" gets closer. The "Day" is likely a reference to the coming of Christ. Perhaps difficulty will increase and temptations will intensify as the coming of our Lord gets closer and closer. The point is that God has designed us in such a way that we need fellowship with His people. This fellowship is a thoughtful fellowship--it thinks of others. It considers their best interests. God is glorified in our gatherings as love is exemplified for His people.

So let us come together. Let us laugh and talk about a variety of things. But let us also consider how we might engage one another with significant conversation. Let us make the most of our times together. Let us not rush to leave and when we have to go let us think of one another till we meet again.
Ray Rhodes, Jr. is President of Nourished in the Word Ministries and Pastor of Grace Community Church of North Georgia. Visit him on the web at www.nourishedintheword.org