“You can’t follow without walking.”
I read that sentence in my devotional today; so obvious, so simple, but so profound:
Following implies action.
Following implies desire has been attached.
Walking is an action.
Action is a choice. Do we realize action is always the result of a choice?
Action is participation.
“Choose you this day whom you will serve.” –Joshua 24:25
“Follow me.” –John 1:43
“He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” –Phil 1:6b
Following is a choice. Choice shows us what we desire. Following requires action. Action is participation.
So this is what I’m wondering: Should one of the actions, the outward signs of choosing to follow Jesus, be committing to attending a corporate church service on the weekend? And do we have a part in what happens when we are there or is it just a buffet of sorts? We take what we want and pass over what we don’t?
God’s Word is pretty direct on the subject: “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” –Hebrews 10:23-25
But why? Why would God make it clear through his word that meeting together as believers is good for us who have chosen to follow Jesus? What is it for anyway? Why are we told to “spur one another on”?
Again, it’s pretty clear: to “hold unswervingly to the hope we profess.” What is the hope we have? We are created beings who fall short of our creator, but have been saved by him and are even now being redeemed by him for his good pleasure and ours. (Gen 1:27, Rom 3:23, Rom 5:8, Phil 2:13, John 10:10)
We who believe in the resurrection of Jesus are called not only to Him (James 1:18, Rom 8:29) but also to each other. 1 Cor 12:27 says we are individuals called to unity: “Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it.” We need each other to remind each other who we are, whose we are, and who we are following.
We come together to relive our story: created, fallen, saved, redeemed. Every weekend we share together the truths of our story through praise being sung, prayer be spoken, testimony shared, and the scriptures being taught.
Come, listen, follow. Take action. Make the choice. Participate in His story, your story. Find life.
See you this weekend!