This title seems harsh, right? Am I trying to drive members away? Am I being callous toward people with legitimate reasons to miss worship? Before anyone jumps to conclusions, this article is not dealing with members who might make excuses for missing church services. Rather, it is for those who criticize others for missing when they do not know the facts.

As Christians, we are to be loving toward one another (I Thess. 4:9). If we have the kind of godly love that our Lord has in mind, then we have a love that thinks no evil (I Cor. 13:5). Giving our brothers and sisters the benefit of the doubt is vital to maintaining proper Christian attitudes. Without this disposition, all kinds of gossip and false thinking can arise and create serious problems between brethren.

We are not jumping to conclusions if a Christians says they could not attend worship and then floods social media with information suggesting otherwise. When we do not have any information though, it is not the place of Christians to judge.

Truthfully, all kinds of issues can arise to hinder good brethren from being able to assemble with the saints. Those who cannot assemble but really want to will take advantage of other tools to participate to whatever degree they can. They might watch services live online or later when they are feeling better. They might study the Bible alone if they are sick and cannot attend a class with the group. They also let brethren know where they are so their brethren do not worry unnecessarily. This lesson is about not wanting to jump to conclusions about others, so we should not want others to jump to conclusions about us either. Let’s make the effort to keep one another in the know (Gal. 6:1-2).

Christians also need to be aware that Hebrews 10:25 (about assembling with Christians) has to do with serving the Lord. If brethren are making excuses and missing, the Lord takes it personally, not us as Christians (John 7:7). Let’s give each other the benefit of the doubt. And may we keep each other informed to give assurance.

Chuck

Are you really a faithful Christian?

We should not be surprised when we hear people claim they are faithful Christians regardless of their personal conduct. In the four gospel accounts (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John), Jesus encountered many Pharisees and other religious people who claimed to have God’s approval. Like when Jesus asked, “Why do you call Me Lord, Lord, and do not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46).

Jesus knew that they called Him Lord because they thought that would be enough. This is precisely what many religious people do today. They say, “I believe in Jesus Christ and have been baptized for the remission of my sins” but they do not worship God with His people, nor do they worship His way (Heb. 10:25; John 4:24).

In order to truly be a faithful Christian, one must walk in the light (I John 1:7). This does not mean we just walk around and say “God knows my heart.” If we are knowingly committing sin, God knows that our heart is not right (Acts 8:21). Just because we know that something is wrong does not mean we are automatically forgiven. As Jesus said, “Unless you repent you will all likewise perish,” (Luke 13:3).

James had something to add when he wrote, “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin,” (James 4:17). Just as sin is held against us even if we know an activity is wrong, we will also be held accountable for the good works we knew we should do but did not. In both cases, God knows their heart. This just means that they need to repent and turn back to the Lord.

People have a knack for justifying not doing what the Lord demands. They tweak things to fit into what they personally want to do. This is nothing more than selfish living. To learn what Jesus thinks of that kind of thinking, just read Matthew 23. 

                                                                                           Chuck