Assemble Together

 

Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

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. 

                                                                                       (Heb 10:22-25 KJV)

It is Sunday morning. It is the day that many Christians gather together to hear the word of God and to worship God. In this time of COVID-19 many have been subjected to mandatory stay at home orders and have followed them. During this past year some Pastors have ended up arrested for not following those orders. Many congregations have cancelled the Sacrament of Communion for the duration. Others are only singing one verse of any hymns or songs they sing to avoid spreading the virus. That, in spite of the fact that they are all wearing masks and sitting six feet apart. 

Over this past year we have also seen a distancing of people from one another. There have been many mandated separations depending on which state you live in. Families haven't been able to visit one another; but, for some reason it's okay to go to one of those big retail stores. Senior citizens have been locked down in long term cares and nursing homes without the benefit of close contact with family whom they love. Depression and suicide have been on the rise. It is difficult to thrive without the love and support of others. I am not sure how one is expected to maintain unity with others when we do not gather together often as family and as the family of God.

It has been a horrific year for many. My prayer is that those who have been avoiding worship for the sake of their health do not stay away once their local congregations are fully open as over the years I have seen that once someone gets out of the routine of gathering together to worship God staying away become the new routine.

I am fortunate enough that closest congregation to where I live has not closed down at all. It's definitely a plus that the preaching has been very good. I am even getting used to sermons that can last around forty minutes!

St. Paul wrote to the Romans:  "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Rom 10:17)

I pray that each of you are able to find a place to worship. It does not matter the denomination; but, remember to gather with others to hear God's word and to worship Him if you are able. If you are not able please check out online worship from a local congregation; a congregation that you could possibly connect with when you are able to worship in person again. 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Freedom Of Religion; To Proclaim the Gospel Peaceably

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."  (First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution)

Can you believe it? I am not starting the blog on this Independence Day with scripture. Instead, I want us to think a little bit about the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution today.

Anyone who has heard more than a couple of my sermons has already figured out that I am a proponent of the separation of church and state. Of course, I would like for all people to be followers of Jesus. But, I do not believe that the government should meddle in anyone's religious faith so long as that faith does not bring harm to other's outside of one's faith. When people are harmed; then, it is indeed the government's (law enforcement's) job to step in and stop the abuse. But; history has shown us over and over again that when the state gets involved in the establishment of religion, the church will eventually relinquish its authority over to the state zealots; to kings, to princes, to dictators. Christ will no longer have the last word in the visible church; the state will. Therefore; as Christians, we need to be alert so that we are not freely turning our freedom to worship over to the control of the state. There is a time for peaceful demonstration. We do also have freedom of speech which; unless used will eventually disappear simply by general consensus.

We, in this country, under the constitution, have a right to exercise our faith; no matter who we are. Of course, I am a Christian and I would have that all people come to Jesus. However, as a citizen (and as a Christian) I cannot persecute those of different faiths whether they be Muslin, Jews, Wiccan, or even Satanists. Yes, these and many more groups consider themselves to be religious orders whether I or anyone else likes it or not. The constitution guarantees all religious groups the free exercise of their religions. However, if any religious groups or members thereof actively seek to harm others than the state must step in, not because of anyone's specific religious beliefs; but, because they break the rule of law. The constitution does not give Christians or anyone else the right to trample on the rights of others, whether we agree with them or not.

The first amendment guarantees the rights of all persons to freely exercise their religion. Included in this first amendment is the right of free speech. Christians need to understand that we do have the right to put a voice to our faith. Congress cannot establish any laws that would restrict proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom. Let us not take this freedom lightly and use that freedom to God's glory. So, the question I would like you to consider today is this: 

How many of these freedoms: the freedom to exercise our faith; the freedom to proclaim our faith; the freedom to assemble peaceably have diminished over the years in this country simply because we, as Christians, have not taken advantage of these freedoms? We cannot blame the state for us losing ground when we haven't been willing to stand up, step out, and freely proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom of God through Jesus the Christ.

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. (Gal 5:1 NIV)

May your celebration of this Independence Day be a safe one; keep your hearts and minds focused on the one who lived and died and lives for you, Jesus Christ our Lord.

God's Peace - Pr. J