Forsaking the Assembly

 
as originally published in Life Lines

". . . and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near" (Hebrews 10:24-25).

The Hebrew writer instructs us not to "forsake" our assembling together. The word "forsake" means to abandon, desert, or leave behind (cf. Vine, Thayer). Such desertion may be either permanent or temporary; the word applies to both. Thus, while the passage would address the problem of quitting the assemblies altogether, it applies equally well to the persistent neglect of such gatherings. The writer says it is the "habit" or "custom" of some to forsake the worship meetings, which may point more toward regular or frequent absence than complete and permanent abandonment. These words also suggest something that is intentional, not the result of accident or happenstance.

Note also that the passage refers to "our own assembling together"— period. The frequency, days and times of such assembling are not mentioned. We know that early Christians met on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2); other assemblies may well have taken place which varied from one local congregation to the next. Most churches in our day have morning and evening services on Sunday and an evening service some time during the week. Obviously, many of us think the Sunday morning assembly is the only one we’re not to forsake. Wherever this curious view may come from, it’s not supported by Hebrews 10:25!

In context, the focus of the passage is on our need to "hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering" (verse 23) and to "consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds" (verse 24). The worship assemblies help us tremendously in both of these endeavors. No wonder we are warned not to forsake them! It is hard to hold steady in my confession of Christ while being unsteady in my participation in worship. If worship is a foretaste of heaven, what does my absence say to God about my desire to praise Him in eternity? The passage likewise tells me not to let my brethren down by abandoning the worship gathering, which is a vital means of stimulating them to godliness. Christians are depending on me to join in with them, and I do them a great disservice by choosing to be absent. 

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