Friday, March 10, 2023

"Assembly Required"

Deuteronomy 4.10 NASU

“Remember the day you stood before the Lord your God at Horeb, when the Lord said to me, ‘Assemble the people to Me, that I may let them hear My words so they may learn to fear Me all the days they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children.’”

The toys I like best are those which state right on the package: “NO ASSEMBLY REQUIRED.” I hand my kid the box. He opens it and goes straight to play with his new toy. No tools, no glue, no instructions, and no mess. I get the maximum benefit with the least amount of work. If possible, I don’t even want to install a battery.

The body of Christ is not like that. The writer of Hebrews put it this way:

“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good
works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together,…”
Hebrews 10.24-25 NKJV

For participation in the community of believers… ASSEMBLY IS REQUIRED. The Lord commanded Moses:- “Assemble the people” to hear the word of God, learn reverence for God, and teach their children His words. Do you “remember the day you stood before the Lord” to receive Christ? In that day He issued you a command…

“Assemble the people to Me.”

If you are a follower of Jesus, your involvement in Christian gatherings is a non-negotiable. There is no such thing as a easy, hands-free, ready-to-go Christianity right out of the box.

ASSEMBLY IS REQUIRED.
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The illustration "Some Assembly Required" is used by permission of cartoonist Andrew B. Singer whose hilarious work you can find at his site "No Exit" at http://www.andysinger.com.

3 comments:

maffy said...

I knew I'd grown up a bit when my performances and exhibits were less about me and more about the good time people would have attending these events. I felt so good about myself as when I saw others having such fun.

Never do we feel our oneness more apparent as when we come together to for something meaningful. While I didn't bring these people together in the name of God, I did bring them together for a higher purpose other than myself.

Perhaps not coincidentally, those were my most successful events.

davescriven said...

I surely identify with what you are saying, Mary Ann. It well brings into focus our purpose at a good gathering of any kind... to encourage, bless, and serve others. When you have shared your musical or artistic gift at a concert or exhibit, I'll bet it brought great joy to your heart.

maffy said...

I was certainly fulfilling my divine purpose on those evenings, as evidenced by the fullness I felt. Yes, you're right...joy is the word. They did indeed bring joy to my heart.