and let us consider one another
to provoke unto love and to good
works: 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. For is we sin
willfully after that we have received
the knowledge of the truth, there
remaineth no more sacrifice for sins.
But a certain fearful looking for of
judgment and firey indigination,
which shall devour the adversaries.
Hebrew 10:24-27
The Christmas season is upon us and with all the scurrying about to by presents, a Christmas tree, and to prepare for Christmas day with all the celebration, food, and excitement it is easy to forget that we celebrate this day in honor of the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us not forget to add a time to speak about this to our children, family, and friends. Some have forgotten the "reason for the season." Take the time to read from the Bible the account and narrative of the birth of Jesus. Make Jesus the center of your celebration. Add this to all the celebration you will have for what better time is this to remember that Jesus Christ came to die for sin, yours and mine. We who are Authentic Christian take the time to provoke one another to love and good works.
How often do we recite the Scripture that we are to assemble together often and to worship corporately with other Christians and come to either make an excuse for not coming to Church, or to come to Church with thoughts about the day, the things that a person wishes to do, and is upset that preacher has gone a little too long in his sermon? How has respect been disrespected by allowing the culture of this day to cause a person to dress as though they are approaching the throne of God and wear shorts, t-tops, jeans, looking like they are going to a ballgame, or boating, etc., and yet when a special occasion, i.e., wedding anniversary they wear a suit and tie. In fact a person would not meet with President of the United States dressed as many do, causually. There is a dichotomy in this thinking and this happens so often by those who are financially able to and have, most likely suits and more formal type dresses in their closets. We are to provoke others to love and good works, not just good works by them but by an Authentic Christian for is a person is an Authentic Christian they come to Church not to just hear a sermon, but to care for those who assemble with them. Does someone in your congregation not able to have good clothes because they are financially not able to have them? Well, how about taking time to give to them so they too will feel respectful, and feel as though they are putting first to God their very best when they know that some look down on them for not being able. This is a time of gift giving, is it not? Are you rushing to leave at the end of the sermon? Are you not taking time to be friendly with others taking time to see if they have a need you can aid them with? Why did you come to Church: to get your card punched as though you did something good for God? You did, but this good is only to follow the commandment to assembly yourselves together and to not do as others who come seldom, leave early, or not attend at all. Is this why Jesus came to earth?
Attending Church together, taking time to meet with, not just those you may have known for a long time, but those who seem to never have someone speak with them, or those who are visitors aid all to not sin willfully. We need each other, steel sharpens steel, and that sharpening comes not just from a Bible study, Sunday School, or the sermon, but by our investing time with another. The writer of Hebrews makes this very clear, to sin willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth means a loss of the sacrifice for your sins. No, you do not lose your salvation, God just no longer attends to you, it is like He has remove His hands from you and you now must face this world on your own. Worse, their is judgment and firey indignation that will destroy those adversaries of God. How do you know whether you are an adversary of God or not? It is your conversion to deny yourself and take up your cross and follow Him and He has commanded us to meet together and this means to be intentional as an Authentic Christian to show love and to provoke one another to love and good works. We are not here on earth for self-realization, to be empowered as the world is speaks of empowerment. We are to live quiet lives making the most of the time we have here on earth. Jesus did by coming to earth as a babe, living as a child until manhood, and then in a few short years, three years, He denied all things that would keep Him from fulfilling the purpose His Father sent to do. You have a purpose, it is outlined for you in Scripture.
Now as you approach this special time of the year, take time to prepare for a time to remind yourself and others to speak time time the "reason for the season." You will be blessed in ways you now do not know. Others will be blessed in ways you do not know. All because you faithfully carried out the foundational purpose for your life as commanded by God.
Behold, the LORD hathe proclaimed
unto the end of the world, say ye
to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy
salvation cometh; behold, His
reward is with Him, and His works
before Him. And they shall call
them, The holy people, the redeemed
of the LORD: and thou shalt be called,
Sought out, A city not forsaken.
Isaiah 62:11-12
You are the city of God
Richard L. Crumb
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