TOGETHER WE HAVE STRENGTH

A friend of mine related to me how during World War II a squadron of B-17s was nearly indivisible while flying bombing raids over enemy targets. He mentioned that the enemy fighter planes were in the air constantly but would not attack the squadron because of its firepower. Only when a plane in the squadron became disabled in any manner and fell out of the formation did it become vulnerable to the enemy. Together, the squadron of B-17s protected each other. But when one aircraft lagged behind it was usually destroyed immediately. There is somewhat an analogy contained in this story. When Christians have the moral support of one another it is very difficult for a member to be lost to Satan. However, the Christian who falls behind through indifference and negligence soon becomes easy prey for “the fiery darts of the wicked one”, who “walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (Ephesians 6:16; I Peter 5:8). Our Heavenly Father, in His infinite wisdom, and knowing that man was a social being, provided in His scheme of redemption the bringing together of His people in public assemblies for worship and edification. This is clearly set forth in Hebrews 10:24,25: “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” In the light of this context and that is to “consider one another in order to stir up love and good works”, the exhortation is given, “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together.” In addition to rendering praise and adoration to God, the next important reason given for our assemblies is to exhort one another. It is encouraging and strengthening to the Christian when one is faithful in attendance to the various gatherings of the local church. It is very unlikely that one would ever become unfaithful to God if he/she were present for these assemblies. It isn’t that he/she couldn’t, it is that he/she will not want to leave his/her Lord and His body, the church. But, one of the first signs of a brother or sister becoming unfaithful is the steady decline in the attendance of the various periods of Bible study and worship. When a Christian ‘falls out of the formation’ and begins to lag behind, separating himself from the other members, you can just about know that he/she is going to be ‘shot down’ by the “fiery darts of the wicked one.” While assembling to worship God and to build one another up in the most holy faith is not the sum total of Christianity, it is an essential ingredient in the Christian’s harmonious relationship with His Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.