Ironguys Law Enforcement Ministries

IronGuys Law Enforcement Ministries
"WORDS OF WISDOM"
By Police Chaplains

"Do Not Forsake Gathering Together"
By
Doni Daudel
Chaplain, Beaumont (CA) Police Department

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. Hebrews 10:24-25

Do you have to attend church to be saved? The short answer is “no.” Should you be actively be attending a solid Bible teaching church after you have repented and received Gods forgiveness? I believe the answer, without a doubt, is “Yes.” The subject of “having to go to church” if you’re a Christian has been controversial to some believers. Let me share what God has put on my heart in regard to the subject of whether or not a follower of Christ needs to attend church.

Let me start with the entirety of the Bible. Every professing Christian should be in agreement that the Bible is without a doubt the “Word of God.” In 2Timothy 3:16-17(NIV), Paul writes: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work..” A frequent argument is “Men, not God, wrote the bible.” The Bible was “penned” by the hands of men but make no mistake, these men wrote under the divine inspiration and leading of God. The Bible is Gods Word. God has never given us “suggestions” when it comes to following Him. He gives us “Commandments.” We gather together in church to be taught by men who have been called and equipped to educate us through teaching of the “Word of God.”

Hebrews 10:24-25 say: “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..” We gather in church to love, learn, grow and encourage one another. The term “stir up” means to motivate, agitate or encourage. Verse 25 is where I believe the writer confirmed, under the power and leading of the Holy Spirit, that going to church is essential: “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.” “Forsaking” means: “abandon, desert, leave helpless..” To forsake or abandon gathering together in fellowship, worship and study is a sure recipe for calamity.

Pastor David Guzik said this on verse 25: “Forsaking fellowship is a sure way to give place to discouragement. This discouragement festers where God’s people are not exhorting one another. Some only go to church if they feel they “need it” at the time. But our motivation for fellowship must be to obey God and to give to others. We can and should gather with believers to encourage someone who needs to stand strong against a tide of discouragement.

-We gather to receive something from God.
-We gather to give something to God.
-We gather to encourage each other by our shared faith and values.
-We gather to bless one another.
-We gather to work together.”

If you have “forsaken the assembling together with other believers,” STOP! Find a church that loves God, teaches His word in love and truth, without compromise, and get plugged in and serve. Going to church and gathering with Gods people is the best way to keep us spiritually healthy and whole.