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The apostle John wrote that "whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness." (1 John 3:4) Sin is the black mark marring our relationship with God. In many ways, man has sought to lessen the force of sin by allowing sin to become less serious. While we know there is no such thing as a "big-sin" and a "little-sin," we still measure sin in different ways.
The sins listed in Romans 1:26-32 are terrible to consider a part of our lives and we would not want to be found in that kind of company. Other passages list sins that are gross and horrible in their nature. If someone commits adultery we are shocked and seek quickly to restore such a one.
His instructions to the church was direct and very specific: "In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, along with my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus." We can rejoice to know that in the punitive action taken upon this man that he was restored to the body of Christ. (2 Corinthians 2:3-11)
As murder, covetousness, adultery and fornication are sins so is the failure to assemble with the saints of God - or so it used to be. Failing to assemble with the saints is considered a lesser sin and not as important as other sins. When someone commits adultery, the church immediately takes action to restore such a person. When a person habitually fails to assemble with the saints, no consideration or thought of their sin may be acted upon for months and months and in some cases - years.
When a person misses the assembly for a few weeks, it would be hoped that someone would notice and inquire as to the reason. It would be sad if someone were laying up in the sick bed for three weeks and no one inquired as to their absence. When Elders are involved in this equation it is their responsibility to inquire about their sheep. Watching out for the souls of the members is the God-given duty enjoined upon the Elders.
Upon inquiry into the person's absence it is determined they are weak in the faith and needing encouragement, the Elders would make known to the brethren the need to encourage them. If they are sick then the church would need to tend to their needs and help in any way possible. In any case, it is known what the need is and action would be taken.
However, in many cases, a person is weak in faith and the reason for their absence is because of their neglect to the service of the Lord. They may be approached at different times by a few people concerning their lack of attendance but no real effort is put forth. As long as a reason is given for their absence in one form or another, everyone is satisfied. This then is when forsaking the assembly is no longer a sin. When a person can forsake the assembly of God's people for months on months and no action taken, the message given is that they are not in sin.
It would be unheard of to think that a man or woman would commit adultery and months and months go by without any action taken by the church. Yet a person can forsake the assembly for months on months and no action be taken at all. The only conclusion can be is that forsaking the assembly is not sinful - it is not wrong to do so.
The Bible teaches otherwise! We teach and preach to our religious neighbors the importance of the first day of the week. Truth is established with command, necessary inference and example to show that we have a responsibility to worship the Lord together upon the first day of the week.
We quote Acts 20:7 to show how the disciples of the first century met upon the first day of the week to break bread.
once a year. The church stands firm upon the teaching of the weekly observance of the supper. At the same time we tell our own members that if you don't come to services to partake of the supper on a weekly basis, it is not sin.
The Hebrew writer plainly shows the need of assembly and the consequence of failing to assemble. "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. For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. Anyone who has rejected Moses' law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know Him who said, 'Vengeance is Mine; I will repay,' says the Lord. And again, 'The Lord will judge His people.' It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."
Christians are not to forsake the assembly of the saints! When a child of God habitually fails to assemble with the saints on each Lord's day, he tells God that he or she does not feel any obligation to remember the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. Using the example of those who rejected Moses' law, the writer asks the question in verse 29, "Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who" ... does what? Fails to assemble to partake of the remembrance of Christ The person who fails to assemble with the saints "tramples the Son of God underfoot." The person who fails to assemble with the saints counts the "blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing." The person who fails to assemble with the saints insults the "Spirit of grace."
When the church fails to take action in encouragement and earnest desire to restore the erring child who has forsaken the assemble, they are "puffed up." When months go by and the individual continues to neglect the assembly of the saints and no punitive action is taken, the church has failed in its responsibility to restore the erring sinner from their way.
If Elders are involved in this equation, they have failed to watch out for the souls of their flock - individually the person who is committing sin.
until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, `Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!' I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance." (Luke 15:4-7)
Everyone is important in the kingdom of God. Even if ONE person is lost, every effort known to the church should be taken to seek restoration of that one. If we allow months and months and years to go by without the proper action, the church is failing miserably in the work God has given it to do.
- - Kent E. Heaton, Sr.
