We Don’t Miss for Company: by Jerry Carmichael

After some years of unfaithfulness to the Lord, my wife and I were restored to the fold. We decided that once and for all God was going to be first in our lives. A few short weeks passed and things seemed to be running smoothly. We were welcomed to the fold warmly by fellow Christians. We had begun to feel like we belonged to the family of the local church. We informed non-Christian friends and family members of our decision.

One Saturday evening as we were preparing our children for bed, anticipating the next morning’s service, a car pulled up into the driveway. The couple who had come for a weekend visit were relatives from Ohio. They informed us that they intended to stay the night and leave sometime the next day. As young, immature Christians, we were suddenly thrust into a spiritual dilemma. Our choices were obvious: 1) Miss the morning service and spend time with our visitors – after all, we could always attend the evening service after they departed; 2) Kindly and tactfully explain our commitment to the Lord, and tell them they were welcome to attend with us or stay at the house until our return. I remember the look on their faces until this day, when before going to be Saturday night, we explained we would be leaving the house at 9:30 the next day to attend Bible class and worship service, and they were welcome to join us or stay until we returned. They were up bright and early the next day and ready to leave before our services.

Years have passed since that Saturday evening. Word soon spread through the family that we would attend worship even if we had company. Some considered us rude and inhospitable. Others commended our commitment, but no one ever arranged a visit that interfered with worship services! As we have grown and matured in the fight, we have thanked God many times for our decision that day. It was a boost of confidence to a couple of struggling newcomers to realize that we had really put God first.

What was a spiritual dilemma then is second nature to us now. We never plan anything which interferes with the assembling together of the saints. We already have an appointment on Sunday morning, Sunday evening, and Wednesday evening, and nothing short of a serious illness interferes with these appointments.

“He that loveth father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. He that taketh not his cross, and followeth after Me, is not worthy of Me.” Matthew 10:37-38.

Editors Addendum: When Christians forsake the assembly, they set aside the cross they promised to bear when they obeyed the Gospel. God will not be relegated to second place in the life of a Christian (or anyone else for that matter)! Any Christian thinking otherwise is in for a rude awakening at the day of reckoning and judgment.

Also, some Christians believe it is perfectly acceptable to forsake the assembly so long as they assemble somewhere. While it may at some time be necessary to assemble privately due to a lack of a local congregation or due to unforeseen circumstances, some Christians assemble with denominational groups on Sunday morning and believe they have satisfied the command to assemble. Note what Hebrews 10:25 says, “Not forsaking the assembling of yourselves together, as the manner of some is…” This assembling is to take place with fellow Christians. Denominational bodies do not fit the bill. If one may forsake gathering with the saints and with the Lord with denominational bodies once, one may do it every week.