Friday, November 16, 2018

Not Forsaking the Assembling of Ourselves Hebrews 10:25


The writer of Hebrews exhorted his readers to “consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works”, and in chapter ten and verse twenty-five of Hebrews the writer shares about “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together” where we read:

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

The verse begins, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is;”. The writer began with the words, “Not forsaking” which means “not abandoning, deserting, leaving in straits or helpless” “the assembling” or “the gathering together in one place” “of ourselves” which refers to “the writer and his readers” “together” or “as a collection” “as the manner” which means “as in the custom, prescription by law, institute and rite” “of some is” or “certain ones are”. The writer exhorted his readers that they should not “abandon” the idea of “gathering together”.

The verse continues, “but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”. The writer added the word, “but” which is a disassociation conjunction that means what is about to be written takes precedence over what is about to be stated” “exhorting” or “to call to one's side, summon, address, speak to, comfort and instruct” “one another” which means “each other”: “and so much the more” or “and to a greater quantity” “as you see” which means “as the readers behold, are beware of and taking heed to” “the day” which refers to “the last day of this present age, the day Christ will return from heaven, raise the dead, hold the final judgment, and perfect his kingdom” “approaching” which means “drawing or coming near and at hand”.

When we consider these words in Hebrews, we see the encouragement for believers to “assemble” together. So many people disregard the value the Lord Jesus places in gathering together as the body of Christ, and rather than attend worship services, they opt for other venues. This is an example of those whom the writer of Hebrews referred as “the manner of some is”. Rather than keeping away from each other, as believers in Jesus Christ we are to “address and instruct” one another because the “day of the Lord” is quickly approaching. The benefit of our attendance in church is two-fold: we are benefitted by being there and others are benefitted by us. We help one another, and without the “assembling” together, not only are we affected, but the church is as well. Let us attend and “exhort” because Jesus is coming soon, and we need each other as we are looking for His return.

Next time the writer shares what happens “if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites,
http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.





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