Hebrews 10:25 (ESV) … “not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
For me, having lived the better part now of 50 years, it is interesting to look back and reflect upon life. For example, I remember a time that all that mattered to me, was seeing my friends in high school. I remember, how I couldn’t wait to get the high school early enough, so I could roam the halls and fellowship before class. Now mind you, after the bell rang and classes started I was ready for school to be over. For me, it was all social!
As I sit here today reflecting, I must confess that much has changed. Today outside of social media I hardly come in contact with my old classmates. What once was such a driving force in my life is barely even a passing thought. I now no longer have a close connection with people who were once so important in my life. That closeness has all but disappeared. What happened? At least two things, life itself and its ever-changing dynamics; second the fact that I am no longer in high school where I can bump into my old classmates
I am still amazed how those close friends quickly become distant acquaintances. This loss of closeness is why in part, that the writer of Hebrews exhorts us in verse 25 to keep the matter of church fellowship a priority.
All too often there is a great tragedy that happens in the church and in the lives of those who are part of the body of Christ. They stop attending and being a part of the fellowship of Christ.
Once was a warm and rewarding fellowship has become now a cold and empty relationship. Moreover, the fellowship once enjoyed with God has grown cold. Why? Because of their absence from His house and His family. The longer we are away from both the house of God and the body of Christ, the colder will grow towards the things of God, until, at last, there is no evidence in our life that we even know God.
We must note the great imperative that Hebrew’s gives us here in this verse, “not to forsake the assembly of ourselves together.” For one day we will stand before Jesus as His bride. How sad it will be, on that day, if we stand there more strangers to one another than close intimate family.
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