A Stirring of Love

People from all different denominations and non-denom make a practice of telling people to "Not forsake the assembling of the saints" (leaving out the rest of this verse). They do this almost like it is a sin to not go to Church and that if you go to Church you have not partaken of that sin. If the context of this statement, if the entire verse and the previous verse is read, you will see that much more indeed was said. Why would simply showing up to Church be righteous? Why not just stay home and watch Church on television? The purpose of gathering was not simply to hear the Word and give a little praise during a few songs. Read this statement with the verse and the one right before it.

Heb 10:24-25
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.

Do you see that yet? More action was required when read in context. First the author says to consider one another to STIR up love and good works. If you just show up, worship, sit down, listen to the message, then shake a quick hand and go home, what was the difference really in going verses watching on the internet or on TV? Not much. The purpose of gathering is clearly having a type of interaction with others that makes them go home STIRRED UP. They leave with more passion to LOVE and to do GOOD WORKS! How does a handshake do that? Ummm you're exactly right, it doesn't. I'm not always faithful in stirring someone up when we gather, but I do make a point to look for someone I know, or someone I haven't yet met, that I can stir. It doesn't always happen. Sometimes it is me that gets stirred. The working of the body of Christ is so unique that it takes each others love for our growth.

Ephesians 4:16
From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Do you see that, look at the word "Itself". Let me ask you this, does the word "itself" just mean YOU? Well you can build yourself up, yes, but the scripture says that we are held together, supporting ligaments (members of the body), and then we are built up. We give each other the correct support when we are together. How is it done? According to this scripture it is done in love. Love is powerful, but it is impossible to put love into practice at home watching Church happen instead of being at Church. It is also impossible to actively love, which causes growth and a stirring of love and good works, just simply by showing up. Church isn't just Sunday Church. How about bible studies, Life groups, fellowships or just simply meeting up with believers somewhere to love on each other.

So taking both of these verses and holding them up to the light side by side we can come to the truth that it is a GREAT thing to be part of the body of Christ. It is an even greater thing to be a part of a body of believes that LOVE. Holding these verses up to the light together will also bring us to the conclusion that gathering as a Church has the purpose of sending people out STIRRED to both love and to do good works. But it also should tell us that in order to send them out they must also be built up by nothing other than LOVE itself. Now God is Love, so in the Spirit we build each other up. We are led by the Father Himself to Love on our brothers. Love is the most powerful action men can do. Love is what we were created for. Love is what saved us. Love is what builds us up. Love is what stirs us. And love is what we gather for.

Hebrews 10:25.....and so much the more as you see the Day approaching

As the day is approaching, as the end is nearer, the scripture is saying that this kind of stirring is needed even more than in the days of the author. If he was saying that way back then, then what could you say about our time as we are so so so much nearer to that approaching Day? I say this, it makes no sense to just show up any more. If you are not changed and have not changed someone else, then nothing was productive. Nothing had virtue. We must become a strengthened body of ligaments knitted and held together in the strength of Christ as it is so important for the coming days ahead.

In order to grow, as Ephesians 4:16 says "...each part does its work", you are part of that. You are required in this work of the Lord, first to be stirred then to stir others, by love and good works, to do love and good works. A cycle of love and good works, exhorting each other in the love of God. Amen!!