IT’S NOT A MATTER OF CONVENIENCE
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 (Hebrews 10:25).
The Bible strongly enjoins that we take our physical presence, our onsite attendance in church services, very seriously. Those who don’t heed this admonition are in error and not to be emulated. Many have become so used to participating in services online and have lost sight of the original purpose of online church meetings; they’re not meant to replace your physical presence in the church at the times you’re supposed to be there.
The provision of online platforms for church services was never intended to be a matter of convenience but a necessity for those who, due to circumstances that may be beyond their immediate control, are unable to attend in person. It is not meant for those who simply do not “feel” like going to church but for those who truly can’t for one reason or the other.
Therefore, whenever you’re able to be physically present in church, you must go. If you travel out of the location where your home church is, perhaps for business or for other reasons and there’s no church in the town or city you travelled to, then it’s understandable to join your home church service online.
But if there’s a branch of your church there, you should go and introduce yourself and join the Christians there in fellowship. Pastors should encourage their members to attend the church in the city they travel to rather than simply logging in online. Telling members to only connect online when a local church is available is not the right approach. If the nearest church is too far, that is understandable.
But even in such cases, we should be proactive in establishing new churches. Many new branches for many churches began because members, upon finding no existing branch of their church in a city they travelled to, started one. The next time they or others visited that location, a church was now in place.
We must not become complacent and turn the online solution into a tool of convenience. The gathering of Christians in fellowship is vital, and whenever possible, every Christian should be physically present in church.
CONFESSION
I refuse to neglect the assembling of myself with other Christians, knowing that in our gathering, there is an impartation of grace, strength and wisdom. I walk in wisdom, and as I honour the structure and order the Lord has set in His Church, there are increased manifestations of God’s blessings in my life, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY:
Hebrews 10:25 CEV, Acts 2:42, Psalm 122:1, Matthew 18:20
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Romans 15:14-33, Psalms 99-101
2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Luke 16:1-12, Ruth 1-2
