Choosing to Attend Every Assembly
An Important Choice
by Bryan Gibson
We live in a day when perhaps more emphasis is put on the “individual” aspect of life than the “together” part. People nowadays tend to see themselves more as individuals, living their own independent lives, rather than as a part of a larger network of relationships, as was truer in the past. Maybe this is because of the changes in society that have scattered our families so far and wide. No longer do many of us live in close proximity to our “extended family.” The result is that we tend to live “isolated” lives, just taking care of ourselves and not having much to do with those around us. Sometimes we don’t even know our next-door-neighbors!
But as Christians, we need, in some ways, to resist this tendency toward “radical” individualism. God has designed the plan of salvation such that there is a together part, as well as an individual part. We’re not saved on the “group plan,” certainly. But it’s still a fact that God has set up the local church to be an important part of that which aids and helps us on our way to heaven. We can’t neglect the “together” part of Christianity without some serious negative consequences.
God has authorized the local church to meet together on a regular basis (Acts 2:42,47; 11:26; 20:7; etc.). One thing that takes places in such assemblies, obviously, is the worship and glorification of God. But it is God’s will that something else takes place, too. We are to edify one another when we assemble as the church. The Hebrew writer said, “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).
No doubt there’ll be times when circumstances beyond our control keep us from the assembly. But when we’re choosing between our priorities, there ought not to be any higher priority than being with the Lord’s people whenever they meet.