We live in an age where it seems that we never have enough time to do all we desire or need to do. With such a demand on our time, it is a great temptation sometimes to put the Lord and His church behind other things. We need to ever keep God’s Word as our guide and to be willing to obey it.
What does the Bible say about the placement of Christ and His church in our busy schedules? Jesus said, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33 NKJV). Note the first part of the above verse, “But seek first…” We all know what this means, but do we always obey it? When we have a requirement placed upon us, as Jesus did here, it is imperative that we fulfill that requirement. If we intently place the church second, third, fourth or any position other than first, we sin.
What does sin do in our lives? One of God’s prophets pointed out the terrible condition of one who had willfully sinned. He stated, “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, That it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear” (Isaiah 59:1-2). The prophet said these people were separated from God by their iniquities. The word “iniquities” means sin, corruption, evil, immorality, wickedness and such like. In their case, because of the lives they were living, they not only were separated from God, but God had hidden His face from them. Consequently, God would not hear their prayers. What a sad and pitiful condition in which one could be—then or today!
When Jesus revealed to John what to write to the seven churches of Asia, He told John to write the following to the church at Smyrna, “…Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10). Jesus said, “be faithful until death.” This means one must be faithful continuously, including the endurance of death, if necessary. Even death, or the threat of death, should not move one from faithfulness to God and to His church.
One facet of being faithful is attending the services of the church. The Hebrew Christians were being persecuted in such ways that some had ceased to attend. The inspired writer, seeking to encourage them to be faithful, wrote, “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 10:25). There has been much debate on which day was meant, but the admonition is, ‘Don’t forsake the assembly when the church comes together.’ If one is truly converted to Christ, he or she looks forward to the time of coming together. The first day of the week, Sunday, should be the greatest day of the week for the true Christian. Jesus died to purchase the church and has given all the privilege of assembling to worship the Creator. If Sunday is not your special day, examine your spiritual condition. You may need to repent.
