The Importance of Faithfulness to the House of God-Even in a Pandemic

Updated October 19, 2020

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. Heb. 10:25

 

Some people often wonder, “Why do Saints go to church so often?” “Is it necessary”? they may ask. And, most recently, they may ask, “Why would they continue to go to church where there is the possibility of contracting Covid-19?” It is my prayer that this post will provide answers to your questions.

Questioners must first realize that worshiping God is more important to us than our necessary food. It is not something that we can toss to the side. We have to find a way to obey Him, even in a Covid-19 situation. Please remember that it is possible to contract Covid-19 at the grocery store, at the gas station, school, or any other place where people assemble. Will we stop going to those places because of Covid-19? The answer for most is no. Of course, we adhere to good hand cleansing guidelines, social distancing, and wearing a mask. We stay home if we are symptomatic, but we keep His service alive in our hearts. We get it. But we also know that we have to find a way to continue serving the Lord, which is an essential part of our lives. Besides, if we can trust God to keep us safe on our jobs, why can’t we trust Him to cover us at church?

We realize some people have no choice other than attending church on YouTube or via live streaming. They must be as faithful to those forms of worship service as possible. We all have to be careful that the things related to God do not become second rather than first in our lives. And if the physical assembly is available, we should see it as essential and commit ourselves to church attendance.

Hebrews 10:23-25 (KJV) states:

23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 24 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.

Verse 23 of Heb. chapter 10 lets us know that Jesus is faithful. He is our example, and we must also be faithful. The Scriptures indicate that Jesus, who is Lord of the Sabbath (Mark 2:28), was loyal to the Sabbath, and, according to Luke 4:16, He was regularly found in the House of God.

16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.

After we have professed our faith, we must hold on to our saved life without wavering. To waver means to reel or totter back and forth as though one would give up or quit. Church attendance helps us hold on to our faith profession because we can gain from others’ strength and encouragement. Our faithfulness encourages others to be strong in the Lord. Hearing the testimonies of how God is moving in the lives of others is so encouraging. Seeing the love demonstrated among the Saints provokes and inspires each of us to do likewise. The best way to see this godly behavior in action is by coming together regularly. Verse 25 says that we must not forsake this assembling together and should do so, even more, when we see the day approaching. In the day that we are in, assembling is even more critical than ever.

We are social beings. Some of the un-churched (those who claim to know God but feel that they do not need the church experience) insist that they do not need to go to church because they can read and study independently. The Bible, however, tells us that we are to do several things for each other as a body of believers. We are to encourage and comfort each other and to bear one another’s burdens. The supporting Scriptures are 2 Cor. 1:3-4 and Gal. 6:2

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (KJV) says

3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;

4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

Gal. 6:2 (KJV) says that we are to

2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

Positive relationships with other Saints are not only good for our emotional health, but they are the basis of our Christian commitment. Saints do not attend church to be saved. We do so because we are saved. We thrive upon the Presence of God in the Sanctuary. We enjoy the Presence of Christ in our fellow travelers. I’ve heard that we can evaluate just how much we love God by how much we enjoy being in His Presence. If we find ourselves enjoying the conversation of our former lying, cheating, and backstabbing friends more than saintly friends, it’s time to re-evaluate our walk with Christ.

We must remember that being faithful to the House of God is a significant commitment. In the church, we learn what pleases the Lord, how we are to live, act, and be Saints of God. We need the Word of God preached in church, the Presence of God experienced in church, and the modeling of exemplary behavior of the established and strong Saints demonstrated in church. No matter how new we are in Christ, our own lives can motivate, inspire, and validate others. Let us all be faithful to the House of God.

If you are regularly attending church, keep up the excellent work. You’re doing a good work, and you cannot come down. If you haven’t been attending as you should, now is an excellent time to begin. May God bless you. I’ll see you in the House of God.

Let us pray: Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You for giving me a love for Your Holy House. I thank You that even in a Pandemic, You provided a way for me to continue to meet with fellow believers in worship, assembling in a way that honors You. Abiding in the Presence of the Almighty is essential to me, and I thank you for making it possible.  Amen and amen.