Hebrews 10:23-25
23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 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.
Pastors use Hebrews 10:25 as their primary Scriptural reference for faithful church attendance, and rightly so. But too often the preceding verses are overlooked. These verses provide great insight into what faith and the Church are about, and explain the reason why we should not forsake the assembling together.
No matter what we have to face, no matter how dire or bleak, there is nothing at all that can overcome our faith. If we continue to hold fast to the Lord, He will be faithful to us, strengthening us to “keep on keeping on.” Sometimes it seems like we’re about ready to fall, that our feet our sliding out from under us, and we are tempted to turn loose. Some days it seems like we just don’t have what it takes to be a Christian, and wonder why we should even tell someone else about a faith in which we ourselves are struggling. But we need not waver, not because we are strong and faithful, but because the God who promised to be with us and give us sufficient grace is faithful.
What assists us when we begin to slip and slide through life? The Church. God’s Church, the body of Christ, is there to help us with moral, spiritual and physical help when we need it most. Notice that in verse 24, the Lord gives us the purpose of our assemblage (which is discussed in verse 25). Our purpose in the Church and the Lord’s Work is to consider one another. When we do this, our motivation and the ultimate result should be to stir up love and good works.
Much damage has been done to the kingdom of God and to the witness and testimony of many believers because they do not heed this verse. Oh sure, they do plenty of stirring up, but usually it has more to do with stirring up trouble. Through gossip, envy, pride, anger, and a host of other things being stirred up, the work of the Lord suffers greatly.
Now is the time that we should stop to consider others instead of ourselves. Is our presence in the congregation and our place in the work of God serving to stir up love and good works within ourselves and those around us? Are we edifying, or building up the body of Christ; or are we doing more to tear it down? Are we really showing love through more than just a word, a handshake or a hug, but with our heart? Can people really see Christ in us? If we are not considering one another, and thus stirring love and good works, then the answer is a resounding NO!
But this consideration must also include a faithfulness to gather together with other believers. Since our purpose is to consider one another and inspire love and good works within ourselves and others, the congregation of God’s people must not be forsaken. Every day we draw closer to our own meeting with the Lord, whether Christ returns or we reach the end of our own life. Knowing that we are one day closer should inspire us to work that much harder for God, doing what we can to make a difference.
You don’t have to be a preacher, a teacher, a committee member or anything like that. But you can make a difference. You may be the conduit through which God touches the life of someone else. Maybe it’s through a word of encouragement, a card, or a shoulder to cry on. It might simply be you looking at someone else and saying, “It’s so good to see you,” or “I love you,” which will stir up that person’s own love and good works for God.
We have a mutual responsibility to God, but we also have a mutual responsibility to one another. Our relationship to God is ultimately our own decision and our own responsibility, so we should hold fast to the confession of our faith (for our benefit and for our testimony to others). We can do this because God is on our side, and is faithful to be with us through everything we have to face.
But we should also remember that we might be the key to someone else’s decisions. Our influence can either inspire or discourage them in their decision-making process. If a person is on the fence, trying to make a life-altering decision, trying to avoid a temptation or wondering if they should accept Christ as their Savior, our own life and decisions may nudge them in one direction or the other. If it is the right way, we will share in the glory. If it’s the wrong way, we will share in the consequences. This is why it’s imperative that we stir up love and good works.
And our very presence one with another is essential. I mean, we can’t really help if we’re not there for one another. If you are ever tempted with the though that you don’t matter, that no one cares and no one would notice if you were present or absent, remember that just by being there, faithfully filling your place, you might just be the answer some people are needing that certain something you alone can provide. Time is running short, Friend, so we must never fail to be faithful. If you will honor these verses with your commitment, not just your words, then you will discover a magnificence of God in your life that you never knew was possible.
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