Page 4 - Is Church an Option?

not on what we take from the assembly, but rather on what we contribute to the assembly. This falls right in line with what Peter tells us about our purpose and the principle of blessing: if we will be a blessing, we will inherit a blessing (1 Pet.3:8-9). Some of the Hebrews were neglecting the public assembling of believers, and the effect was the discouragement of those who remained.
Why do you come to church? It should be to participate in the mutual encouragement of one another. The word “consider” in verse 24 is in the present tense, which means we are to observe, contemplate, and think about one another regularly. We are to think about each other’s needs, weaknesses, temptations, and personalities. Why? So that we can “stimulate one another to love and good deeds.” The quality of our encouragement is expressed by a tremendously energetic word “stimulate,” which suggests irritation, incitement, and a stirring up to rivalry. The goal of our encouragement is to do good works. The only way we can do this is by not separating ourselves from the weekly local assembly. This happens only when one takes responsibility for his part in the body of Christ. The idea here goes beyond just coming to church. Underneath this verse, an inward disposition the author is seeking to correct is unveiled. It says, “Not only do I not need anyone’s help, but I am not interested in helping those who are my spiritual family members in Christ.” When you are in your place as a believer, it encourages the pastor and others by provoking them to love and good deeds.
Why should you be in church? Being in church helps believers avoid backsliding. 1 Corinthians 12:12-28 addresses two groups of people: the elitists and the individualists. The elitist says, “I don’t need them.” The individualist says, “They don’t need me.” However, the vivid body life imagery that Paul uses teaches us that we need each other. In Ephesians 4:15-16, he goes so far as to say, “Like the human body, the church is held together with joints.” It is only when every part is working properly that healthy growth takes place. If the services are boring, they need renewing, not abandoning. If the preaching is stale, the preacher needs prayer, not criticism. Therefore, being in your place with the right heart and for the right reasons will not only preserve your own life from sliding away, it will help others also.
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