Going to Church 2.0: Back in the Habit
It’s hard for us to imagine what it was like to be a Christian in the early days of the Church. Threats from both inside and outside the community lurked and loomed, casting a shadow over the terrain of the believer’s path. Gathering for worship was a daily gamble, wagering the gift of life against the odds of an eternal payout.
The Romans were random in their persecution with a sometimes vigilant and other times apathetic spirit, but those within the Jewish Religious Establishment were tenacious and unforgiving in their pursuit. The Pharisee Formally Known as Saul was chief among them, and had no doubt inspired others to imitate his passion.
Within the Church herself, there were troubles and tribulation of a different kind. Disagreement salted with arrogance had driven many to the point of division, the call of Christ and witness of unity traded for the satisfaction of being right or maintaining control. Here again, we find The Apostle Now Known as Paul the most passionate voice: The fellowship and unity of the Church IS our witness to the reality of Christ.
The stress on the Church was severe, pulling at every thread and threatening to rip the very fabric of faith into shreds. It is no less than a miracle that such a patchwork of disciples remained knit together in those early days, even as they sensed The Day approaching.
That miracle was the cord of the Holy Spirit, woven through every heart and mind, binding them all together in worship and the practice of meeting together – embroidered with life-giving community.
The Letter to the Hebrews, written by someone who was following in Paul’s footsteps and wrestling with the struggles of that day, tells us as much:
Let us consider each other carefully for the purpose of sparking love and good deeds. Don’t stop meeting together with other believers, which some people have gotten into the habit of doing. Instead, encourage each other, especially as you see the day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:24-25)
Today, it’s all too easy for us to imagine our own stresses and threats, whether it be doctrinal conflict or coronavirus – but the cord that binds us in unity and life is the same: Meeting together with other believers.
Meeting for worship, even if it’s online. Meeting for Bible study, even if it’s on Zoom. Meeting in small groups, even if it’s not something we’ve ever been comfortable doing before.
Meeting together, even if it’s something that we have gotten into the habit of not doing.
This is our witness to the reality of Christ, a light shining in an ever darkening world who desperately needs to know that God is here among us – and that the Day of the Kingdom is not only drawing near – it is already here, right here, when we gather together in faith.
