Article: MEMORIAL OR NOT?

Wednesday, October 09, 2002 - 11:35 PM

MEMORIAL OR NOT?
By Patrick D. Andrews

The day has been made into a federal holiday, which closes many government offices and functions to include most financial institutions. It's the last Monday of the month and as a holiday, the boats will be in the water, grills will be hot to the task of cooking the favorite outside "dishes," and various family outings and reunions will be on-going.

Invariably, some reporter will be featured on a TV NEWS show as they ask various persons about Memorial Day. Sadly, most of those interviewed only see the day as one in which they do not have to "clock-in" at their various places of employment.

Similarly, the day has been set aside, not by some act of congress or presidential proclamation, to remember who we are, where we are, why we are, and who saved us from the tragedy of our sins. It's a gathering where there is always room for another. It's a time and place that does not have to be "held" by some family as is the case with certain locations in our parks. However, it is a special place that has been reserved by the most special action that anyone has ever done for another--He died that we might live.

Since the beginning of the church and its gatherings, some, for their various reasons, which they undoubtedly consider valid, have chosen to absent themselves from these gatherings of the collective body of Christ. I'm not writing about illnesses, feebleness, or other maladies over which we have no control, but rather joining with the writer of the Letter to the Hebrews concerning willful absenteeism.

Various explanations are tendered regarding why they were forsaking the assembly, in which they could be a part of the exhorting, edifying, and general helpfulness to their Christianity, especially regarding the "tough times" that were to come.

The underlying question is still as valid and as unanswered--then and now! Why do Christians forsake the assembly? The point being considered and the question that needs to be addressed is, "What is it that causes so many of God's children to drop by the wayside?" It's not anything that is unique to anyone place over another, albeit, the problem can be more severe in some places.

Moffatt's exposition on Hebrews 10:25 suggests there are at least three different reasons why Christians stop attending or assembling with the brethren: fear, fastidiousness, and conceit. He goes on to further define each of these areas as follows:

FEAR: The fearful Christian simply decides that it is not within his/her best interest to attend the periods of worship. Perhaps it (assembling) creates problems at home or on the job. It may be creating tension because of some kind of responsibility that is incurred directly or indirectly because of the frequency of attendance. Fear is when it is easier to quit than to fight for that which is right!

FASTIDIOUSNESS: The finicky Christian decides that he no longer enjoys being around other Christians and seeks to avoid uncomfortable situations because he chooses to not associate with those who are different. He forms relationships with others who think and act like he thinks and acts and finds comfort with those who are in harmony with his thoughts, desires, and actions. This type Christian cannot tolerate either the hypocrite or the oddball.

CONCEIT: The conceited Christian concludes there is no reason to keep "going to church" because he is "getting nothing worthwhile" from the time invested. These have forgotten that worship is an act that requires a giving of self. Since conceit is self-centered, he sees no reason to continue in an action (attending worship) that does not focus on himself.

When we are discouraged and consider forsaking the assembling, we should take a few moments to ponder the greater importance of the assembly and worship which it involves. We should ask ourselves if our heart, mind, and soul are focused on the Savior and Creator. If the heart is "in the wrong place," then the Christian who should assemble with the brethren will be absent from the right place. Whether we attend or not is an issue of whether we remember or not. We either remember the Savior's sacrifice or we don't. We either reflect on our situation and salvation or we don't. We are either obedient to His will or we are in opposition to it. We need to better focus our hearts of compassion, and our hearts of sympathy, and our hearts of commitment, and our hearts of obedience, our hearts of love.

Hebrews 10:24-31 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 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. 26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

When the gathering of the saved comes together, we should make the most concerted effort to be gather with them. In such gatherings, we either remember Him and what He did for us, or we neglectfully fail to react in love to the greatest love that man has ever known.