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NASB | Hebrews 11:40 because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Hebrews 11:40 because God had us in mind and had something better for us, so that they [these men and women of authentic faith] would not be made perfect [that is, completed in Him] apart from us. |
Subject: Superior Hope |
Bible Note: Hank, you have been good to me, so don't take anything personal that I might say. I've answered a number of posts today, and most recently got insulted by two different people over trivial matters. I'm in a temper, but know that it is not directed at you. I am going to reiterate for what seems like the hundredth time: "I am an advocate for going to church. I think it is a good thing. I think that the weak can be strengthened, exhorted, upheld, educated, and find comfort and fellowship. I think that the strong can be the ones to strengthen, exhort, uphold, educate, and give the comfort and fellowship." Did everyone hear me this time? I've posted this statement in every post related to this topic, starting with the first one. My issue is in calling it a command. Righteousness is to do the right thing. The right thing to me may not be the right thing to do for you. If you need church, and I don't, then so be it. (Please refer back to my statement). The doctrine of Christ is: Believe in Jesus Christ, whom God raised from the dead, and love one another as He gave us commandment. The law of Christ is: Love one another, and believe in me. Failing to love is true transgression of the Law of Christ. If I choose not to go to church, I am not hurting anyone. I find no reason to conclude that "go to church" is a commandment. Are we not the church? Are we not the building itself, we the members of the body of Christ? [Ephesians 2:19-22 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.] Further, what is an assembling? Did Jesus not say that where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them? [Matthew 18:20 For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.] At what point does a coming together of two or three suddenly become inadequate? I have a Bible study at my house on Thursday nights. There are some young Christians that come. I am quite delighted in their progress. They have not yet found a church they feel comfortable in (and many, I'm certain, have encountered this as well), but in our gathering of five or six, they are more provoked to love and good deeds than I've seen out of most Christians coming straight out of church. When I go to church, it's because I want to, but I find the place of meeting and the size of the congregation completely irrelevant. The idea is, don't go it alone. If you come together, whether by two or by two hundred, you can provoke one another. This is a fact. I have seen it with my own eyes in practical application. As for it being a work of the flesh, let me ask you: Who has done right? The man that goes to church every week, appears righteous to all those around him, then goes to work on Monday and cheats his customers? Or the man that misses church, thinks on God all day every day, loves his neighbor as himself, and in all ways actively practices righteousness? I can tell you plainly that these two people are real people, and this is the way they behave. Who has done right in the eyes of God? Going to church, for some people, is a crutch. They think going to church makes them righteous, but in all other ways outside those walls, they act like Godless, loveless heathens. Christ is our righteousness, not going to church. You either practice the doctrine of Christ, or you do not practice the doctrine of Christ. Going to church has nothing to do with that. The worst Christians I've ever met are the ones that attend weekly. The most sincere Christians I've ever met are the ones that never go at all. To close, I'll say one more time: I am an advocate of going to church. It is a good thing, and all should take advantage of the fellowship, instruction, and exhortation. Ancient |