I was reading through Deuteronomy 12 this afternoon, and wanted to take the time to say something about it - just a little something, I promise!
There are a couple of phrases that are repeated throughout this chapter that bear dwelling on. One is "you shall not", which is usually followed by something along the lines of "worship God wherever you want in whatever way you so choose". Instead, we see the second phrase repeatedly popping up after this - "the place the Lord will choose".
I think this should provoke a little bit of discussion amongst professing believers and here's why. Too often in this day and age, people call themselves Christian, but they forsake the fellowship of their brethren, in direct contradiction to God's Word in Hebrews 10:24-25. We're too eager to sleep in on a Sunday morning or get home and rest on a Wednesday night. We can make up all sorts of excuses for it, too.
For most Christians I know, this means meeting with a local (not on television, not hearing their "amens" recorded on the podcast) body of believers, who will encourage you and help you to grow in Christ, sharing their spiritual gifts with you as you share yours with them, all to the glory of Christ. It means that you attend ONE church REGULARLY with this local body, AT LEAST on Sunday mornings (and from personal experience, I highly recommend Wednesday nights, too). You don't have a hit-or-miss philosophy on attendance, you don't make it optional for yourself, or men for your families), and you don't hop from church to church every time your nose gets out of joint or the preacher steps on your toes (that's usually called conviction, people!). Why? Because this is the means that God has ordained for our worship of Him. It is a gift of grace by which fellow believers come together to encourage and aid one another in a sin-riddled world.
Just read Deuteronomy 12:4-5 if you don't believe me.
There are a couple of phrases that are repeated throughout this chapter that bear dwelling on. One is "you shall not", which is usually followed by something along the lines of "worship God wherever you want in whatever way you so choose". Instead, we see the second phrase repeatedly popping up after this - "the place the Lord will choose".
I think this should provoke a little bit of discussion amongst professing believers and here's why. Too often in this day and age, people call themselves Christian, but they forsake the fellowship of their brethren, in direct contradiction to God's Word in Hebrews 10:24-25. We're too eager to sleep in on a Sunday morning or get home and rest on a Wednesday night. We can make up all sorts of excuses for it, too.
- We're tired from work.
- We almost never miss a Sunday, so if we want to sleep in just this once, surely God won't mind!
- I can listen to the sermon online later, so I'm not really missing anything.
- I don't have to attend church at all; I can watch a sermon on television and worship and get fed that way.
- I can worship God wherever I am, be it in the car, fishing on the lake, at home or at church.
- I feel closer to God in nature, out enjoying His creation.
For most Christians I know, this means meeting with a local (not on television, not hearing their "amens" recorded on the podcast) body of believers, who will encourage you and help you to grow in Christ, sharing their spiritual gifts with you as you share yours with them, all to the glory of Christ. It means that you attend ONE church REGULARLY with this local body, AT LEAST on Sunday mornings (and from personal experience, I highly recommend Wednesday nights, too). You don't have a hit-or-miss philosophy on attendance, you don't make it optional for yourself, or men for your families), and you don't hop from church to church every time your nose gets out of joint or the preacher steps on your toes (that's usually called conviction, people!). Why? Because this is the means that God has ordained for our worship of Him. It is a gift of grace by which fellow believers come together to encourage and aid one another in a sin-riddled world.
Just read Deuteronomy 12:4-5 if you don't believe me.
