Thursday, July 24, 2008

Abiding is Not About Church Attendance

Pray In Secret I think some of us have confused going to church (a building) with being the Church (the Body of Christ, all true believers). This comes to mind as I recall and pray for the persecuted Church in other regions of the world.

Other countries are filled with believers who can't meet for weekly Christian fellowship because of harsh persecution. Have they fallen away because they don't attend church? Of course not. These believers learn to stay intimately connected to the Head, which is Christ our Lord. Their fellowship with Him is constant and sweet, and we admire such strong faith sometimes without understanding the depths to which they're abiding in Him through His Word and the Holy Spirit.

Here in the West, we often hear, "I need to get back to church; my attitude has suffered lately." Or, "God won't bless me if I miss church on Sunday, or if I forget to tithe, or if this or that..." These attitudes seem to reflect more superstition than a true understanding of our ongoing relationship with God through Christ. Sure, we can squeeze another bible study into our crammed schedules if we want to, or make sure we're in church every time the doors open. In all these things we appear as devoted disciples, but unless we're abiding in Him to start with, it's just religious activity.

The other day I heard, "Josie stopped coming to church - better pray - she's out of fellowship with the Lord, you know." Not only did the person not have a clue as to the real reason Josie stopped coming to church, it was somewhat arrogant to make an assumption. Church attendance is not the barometer of our spiritual condition.

I'm pleading that we don't look to church gatherings, worship services, meetings, and bible studies as our life source. Our only Life Source is Jesus Christ. The person anchored in Him will continue to abide in Him, whatever we may think of their Christian activities (or lack thereof).

Something else. The Lord may call certain ones of us to a season of rest and solitude so we'll learn to fellowship more deeply with Him - away from the institution of church. Maybe we're tired of what's being done in His name, or maybe it's time to pull back. People will misjudge; that's okay. But what about the shut-ins with chronic health issues? Those who don't live near a good Christ-centered church? Those who've suffered unbearable legalism in their church and need to leave in order to heal? These folks have the opportunity to trust and abide in Christ like never before. Oh, that we wouldn't heap coals on their head by misjudging!

This is not a post to endorse lone ranger Christians; I'm empathetic to our struggles. Fellowship with other believers, of course, is a precious thing, something to enjoy as we're able and as God provides. He reminds us in His Word not to forsake the assembling together, but nowhere does He tell us that this assembling must take place in the Mega complex down the street. Let us not discount the beautiful fellowship of "two or more" gathered in His name. If nothing else, we don't have to plunge to our despair if fellowship with others is temporarily interrupted. At times like these we find that Christ alone is not cliche, but Sustenance.

Times of persecution are on the rise. It's going to get worse. Just as we know that nothing can separate us from the love of God, I hope we know that nothing can take the place of abiding in Him.

Windows to My Soul Blog

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Alesia,

This is my first time to your blogspot, and I am so glad that I visited. This is a beautiful God honering spot. I know the LORD is pleased.

You and Mac are doing a really good job as Ambassadors for Christ, your love for the LORD really shows. Please know that there are a lot of followers of Christ who are praying for the souls that post at the Cave. You two are not alone.

In Christ's love,
Marilyn

Alesia said...

Marilyn,
Thank you for taking the time to comment!

Your kind words mean a lot to Mac & I.

God Bless!

GT said...

Alesia;
I received your comment to my e-mail. Thank you for the concern, everything is OK here, just seems like I am so busy now. I am following along with the comments at the cave but it is hard to keep up. I really don't see how most have the time to post and research so much, it is amazing to me! I haven't posted on most discussions because we have covered these areas before and nothing seems to get settled by the discussions. I do however appreciate the uplifting and encouraging posts that most contribute. God bless you and thank you for your concern. I will comment when I have more time and am led to. I also covet all your prayers at the cave, God bless!!

Maranatha!

Today's Bible Story
Thursday, July 17, 2025
Down Through The Roof - Jesus Heals A Paralytic Man
Matt. 9:2-8; Mark 2:1-12; Luke 5:18-26
Jesus said to the man, "Be of good cheer, for your sins are forgiven. Take up your bed and return to your own house."
WHEREVER JESUS WENT, crowds followed him. In the streets, or even in the homes of Capernaum, many people gathered when they knew he was present. Some of these people were his friends, others were merely persons curious to hear him speak and to see him perform some miracle, while still others followed for the purpose of finding fault with him.

    One day while Jesus was in Capernaum so many people came to the house where he was staying that they left no room for others to enter. Among them, as usual, were his disciples and friends, the curiosity-seekers, and the fault-finders. These fault-finders were scribes and Pharisees who had come from far-off places to hear him. They had heard many reports about his wonderful teachings, and they wished to hear him for themselves. As he talked, they sat near by, watching every move he made.

    Into that crowded room sick people had been brought, and Jesus healed them all. Then while he preached about the kingdom of God the listeners were surprised to hear a scrambling overhead. Presently the roof began to part, and the people saw a queer-looking object being lowered from the ceiling. Then they recognized the form of a crippled man lying on a bed.

    On the roof were the four friends of this crippled man. They had tried to bring him to Jesus; but when they carried him as far as the door they saw that it would not be possible to push with their burden through the crowd. Yet they were determined to bring this suffering man to the great Healer. The man was not able to move himself about, and day after day he had lain upon his bed because of the disease that had made him so weak and helpless.

    When the crowd had refused to make way for them to pass, the four friends carried the man up on the flat roof of the house. Then they tore up the roof tiling and saw where Jesus stood. This done, they tied ropes about the bed on which the man lay, and lowered the bed very carefully into the room, before Jesus.

    Of course the service was interrupted when the sick man was being lowered by the ropes from the roof. The onlookers wondered what Jesus would do. Perhaps some of them knew this sick man. They were all surprised when they heard Jesus say to him, "Son, be of good cheer, for your sins are forgiven."

    The look of pain left the sick man's face and a happy smile came instead. But the astonished people were not watching him. They were looking in surprise at the one who had dared to say, "Your sins are forgiven." They knew God had power to forgive sins, but they did not know that Jesus was the Son of God.

    The fault-finders began to say in their hearts, "Who is this who pretends to forgive sins?" None except God can do that!

    Jesus knew their thoughts, and he said, "Why do you think evil of me in your hearts? Is it easier to tell the man that his sins are forgiven, or to tell him to rise up from his bed and walk? That you may know I have power on earth to forgive sins too [then Jesus turned to the helpless man lying on the couch before him and said], Arise, take up your bed and return to your own house."

    Immediately the stiffness departed from the sick man's limbs and strength came into his body. Then he arose up in the presence of all the people, rolled up the couch, or mat, upon which he had lain for many days, and lifted it up on his shoulders just as well men carried their beds in that country. The surprised people made way for him, and he walked out through their midst into the street to join his happy friends.

    Great fear came upon the people in that crowded house. They glorified God, and said to each other as they hurried home, "Surely we have seen strange things today!"

Tomorrow: Jesus Raises A Widow's Son From The Dead

Brought to you by

Put the Daily Bible Story on your site or Read more stories