Musick-al Note # 206
I am one who dropped out. I drive past the building once in a while, and recall that I used to worship there and study God’s word in the Bible classes. I meet some friends from time to time, and find that they also have ceased to attend. Occasionally I meet people who continue to go, but never seem able to get from them any reason why I should return. You who continue to attend with others to worship God do not know or seem to care what caused me to drop out. Perhaps I needed a friend, and found none. Or maybe I needed help to live my life, and you did not seem to offer much. At any rate, I dropped out. I no longer go to church or to Bible class, AND YOU DID NOT EVEN TRY TO FIND OUT WHY!
This thought has a fearful import for every Christian\. Will someone be lost because we did not care about them? Are we so self-satisfied that no one else matters? Let it not be said of us! This is why we urge the attendance of every member at EVERY SERVICE. Is that too much to expect? Is the church really the kingdom of God, founded and led by the Lord Jesus – or just another human organization? Does worshipping God, and Christian fellowship mean no more than an hour of rest or entertainment? Do Christians have to be begged and petted into attending that which should have first place in their lives? Do we attend only to have our ears tickled that all is well and peaceful as we go about our usual lives? Is there no more to our service than listening for half an hour to the preacher’s homily and then leave to forget everything that was said? Can we not find a better reason to attend than these which show no indication of loving the Lord Jesus?
Christ died for our sins enabling men to live through eternal ages with Him? Let’s wake up to our opportunities to show love for Christ and one another. We should strive to use every meeting to exalt Christ Jesus in teaching, singing and praying so that everyone will be encouraged and desire to follow Him. It is good to greet friends and acquaintances but we must always be aware of others who come and include them. We must not fail to be aware of any who are no longer attending or only attend occasionally and encourage them to live for Christ Jesus. Help them understand that our eternal destiny depends upon our living for Christ Jesus while on earth. Our joy in His salvation is to share it with others so let us be careful that we leave none out.
Gordon Musick
Musick-al Notes 