We need each other!

The verse for today, 10/25, is Hebrews 10:25, "We should not stop gathering together with other believers, as some of you are doing. Instead, we must continue to encourage each other even more as we see the day of the Lord coming."  GW

The writer of Hebrews knew that God's people needed encouragement, then, and now.  He knew that community and unity were essential in our faith.  He knew that, as people, we get better together.  Yet, we, as people, do protest.  Simply said, some people do not like to come under the authority of God, much less a body of believers, aka the church.  They like to do it their own way and they don't want anyone "judging" them or telling them what to do.  They had rather be lone rangers than BE the church.

What is the problem with this?  Honestly - it goes against scripture.  It's true that you don't have to go to church to be a Christian.  But, it's also true that unity, love, and encouragement among fellow believers is what God wanted His church to look like.  He wanted us to give up individual pride and selfishness in favor of unified love and humility.  In other words, God wanted us to love others more than ourselves.  He wanted us to get along and work out our differences.  Because we have such a hard time doing these things, we have a hard time embracing the church.  It's sad, really, because when we resist God's way, we ultimately resist His best for us.  God wants us to bless each other and become united as one, a body of believers surrendered to loving Him and each other.  Yes, He wanted us to BE the church, together.

Have you watched the news lately?  Our society and this world are spiraling out of control.  The moral climate is pathetic.  The writer of Hebrews got it right...we need each other!  Especially, since the world, and the devil, continually try to tear us down and apart.  Every day, we're closer to the Lord's return.  As Christians, let's band together and encourage each other with the love and hope of Jesus Christ.  Being the church is so much better than being alone.