By: Ronald Lloyd

Excusing sin on the basis of culture or life styles is popular.  The saint will disregard such nonsense in deciding how to invest time.  Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:7, “For we walk by faith, not by sight,” echoing the prophet in Habakkuk 2:4, “Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by faith.”  Habakkuk is recording the words of the Lord God, concerning the writing of the vision for others to read.  God’s prophets were generally ignored.  Those whose souls were not upright because of their won self importance are contrasted with those who would believe that what God says he will do.

Often we say, “Amen” (might it be so), without considering the consequences.  The religious world generally takes the position that the church has little to do with salvation.  The Bible’s view is different.  Only those in the church (the called out) will be saved according to Ephesians 5:25, “For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body.”  We will not be saved because we went to assembly (the church), but we will shall not be saved if we do not.  The assembly is central to salvation and specifically commanded in Hebrews 10:25.

Saints who believe the above may practice a life style that does not revolve about the local assembly.  Felix was willing to listen to the gospel on his own terms, when there was a time,  the King James Version says, “---a convenient season,” in Acts 24:25.  We live in an adjustable, technological world.  This philosophy of adjusting may slop over into our spiritual life.  The local assembly may be neglected to suit our time frame, our plans by making use of the morning assembly to travel, vacation or nurse an illness that on a business day would be disregarded. 

The argument can be prolonged about “which service is most important.”  The issue is often, “What do I wish to justify?,” or “What do I want to do?”  It seems to me the most critical assembly is the one which I have decided can be missed for almost any reason.

How would I feel if I invited someone to my home and they declined to accept my invitation but did accept another’s invitation?  I would be injured.  When”---Spirit and the bride say, Come---”, should I think that God would be pleased?  The Bible teaches that assemblies are local, dependent upon the membership.  When my absence from the local assembly is frequent, although I may be in attendance elsewhere, should I not examine myself?  Am I God-serving or self-serving?  Is my service a matter of continuity or a matter of convenience?