Your taking that verse from Hebrews 10:25 and using it as a billy club to beat people into submission to a legalistic system to "attend church" is utter nonsense. You do not understand the letter to the Hebrew Christians. Allow me to help.
First, I have not forsaken gathering with saints in any way, shape, or form. And our fellowship is always with Christ in one another. Always. Jesus is Head and we treat Him as such. It's the denominations who have cut themselves off from the Body, not vice versa. Unless I belong to your club, organization, am a tithing member in good standing, you think I'm in sin. Outrageous.
The saints I have made into disciples seek out the lost and the saved day and night and wish to enjoy SPIRITUAL fellowship with people at all times. We are not the slightest bit interested in the world. We do not speak of the earth. We urge people everywhere to repent of their sins and hope to teach them how to use their time wisely. Most Christians are not interested in this type of commitment. In fact, almost all that we meet are not.
The letter to the Hebrews was written to Jewish Christians who were under great pressure to forsake Christ, and they were undergoing persecution again. Pay attention. This is important:
In the letter we read that they had at one time ---
Hebrews 10:32 But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings,
Hebrews 10:33 sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated.
Hebrews 10:34 For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one.
Hebrews 10:35 Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.
These Christians were facing again, great persecution for the Name of Christ Jesus. And rather than implement a legalistic requirement about "church attendance" on these saints who had come into the Liberty of Christ, [God forbid!], the apostle is telling them to stand by one another and go down in a blaze of glory for the Lord's Name, if it should come to that.
"If Timmy' s house is being burned with fire, and his possessions taken away from him because for being known as a follower of Christ, then they will do the same thing to me if I am associated with him."
So the answer, you see, is that the Saints were under TEMPTATION to distance themselves from other saints. Thus the correct understanding, especially in light of all your understanding to "Live by Grace and faith, and not by Law" which you somehow lost sight of in your post to me, is to STAND BY ONE ANOTHER IN JESUS and not forsake meeting together and suffer the consequences thereof! Glorious!!!!!
And this kind of love should be practiced almost everyday in one another's homes, breaking bread together, and encouraging one another, as long as it’s called “Today”.
And if Timmy's house gets burned down, I will stand with him in Christ! Wow! BEAUTIFUL!!!!
Sing together now, "We all go down in a blaze of glory!"
Hebrews 10:25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
You have turned that beautiful verse into something ugly, and
Hebrews 12:4 In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.
But I have a stronger word for those who wish to live under law. That post coming shortly.
First, I have not forsaken gathering with saints in any way, shape, or form. And our fellowship is always with Christ in one another. Always. Jesus is Head and we treat Him as such. It's the denominations who have cut themselves off from the Body, not vice versa. Unless I belong to your club, organization, am a tithing member in good standing, you think I'm in sin. Outrageous.
The saints I have made into disciples seek out the lost and the saved day and night and wish to enjoy SPIRITUAL fellowship with people at all times. We are not the slightest bit interested in the world. We do not speak of the earth. We urge people everywhere to repent of their sins and hope to teach them how to use their time wisely. Most Christians are not interested in this type of commitment. In fact, almost all that we meet are not.
The letter to the Hebrews was written to Jewish Christians who were under great pressure to forsake Christ, and they were undergoing persecution again. Pay attention. This is important:
In the letter we read that they had at one time ---
Hebrews 10:32 But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings,
Hebrews 10:33 sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated.
Hebrews 10:34 For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one.
Hebrews 10:35 Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.
These Christians were facing again, great persecution for the Name of Christ Jesus. And rather than implement a legalistic requirement about "church attendance" on these saints who had come into the Liberty of Christ, [God forbid!], the apostle is telling them to stand by one another and go down in a blaze of glory for the Lord's Name, if it should come to that.
"If Timmy' s house is being burned with fire, and his possessions taken away from him because for being known as a follower of Christ, then they will do the same thing to me if I am associated with him."
So the answer, you see, is that the Saints were under TEMPTATION to distance themselves from other saints. Thus the correct understanding, especially in light of all your understanding to "Live by Grace and faith, and not by Law" which you somehow lost sight of in your post to me, is to STAND BY ONE ANOTHER IN JESUS and not forsake meeting together and suffer the consequences thereof! Glorious!!!!!
And this kind of love should be practiced almost everyday in one another's homes, breaking bread together, and encouraging one another, as long as it’s called “Today”.
And if Timmy's house gets burned down, I will stand with him in Christ! Wow! BEAUTIFUL!!!!
Sing together now, "We all go down in a blaze of glory!"
Hebrews 10:25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
You have turned that beautiful verse into something ugly, and
Hebrews 12:4 In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.
But I have a stronger word for those who wish to live under law. That post coming shortly.
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