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"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful."
(Hebrews 10:23)
College football season is back! There is much optimism this time of year, as each team starts with the same record. I am pulling for my Auburn Tigers. We had a rough season last season, but it looks like we will be much improved this season. I am not sure our record will change dramatically, because we have to play teams like Alabama, Oklahoma, and Georgia, but I am excited to get this football season going!
Hugh Freeze, head football coach at Auburn University, made this comment at a recent media update on the team: "Nothing great happens by yourself." So true. Football is a team sport, and so is the Christian life. It was never intended to be lived alone but in community. The devil likes it when we are alone. He does his best work on our minds and hearts when we are isolated and withdrawn from others, especially the church.
The writer of the book of Hebrews wrote to the Hebrew Christians in the first century, and he writes to us in the 21st century too. Don't you just love the Word of God! God inspired these biblical authors and gave them exactly what He wanted them to write. The Holy Spirit who inspired the writers also illuminates our minds so we can obey God's teachings. Hebrews 10:25, a verse we will examine this week, is perhaps the definitive verse in the Bible on going to a local church. But prior to this, he wrote our focal verse for today's devotion. He commands the church then and the church today to hold fast. We are to grip tightly the confession of our faith, the hope we have in Christ. We will be tempted to give up on God and His people. One of the safeguards is the encouragement we receive from those who are being tempted just like we are.
There is nothing like the church of the living God! In Dr. Charles Stanley's "30 Life Principles" series of messages he preached at the FBC Atlanta, GA, he dedicated the 28th principle to the importance of God's people gathering with each other in a local church. The title of his message is "Together in the Christian Life". Dr. Stanley's message was typical Stanley: very biblical and practical. I will share with you much of what he taught in his message, and I will present my own comments and examples along the way.
Hebrews 10:23 says God is faithful. Amen; He is indeed a faithful God. He loves us and is for us, not against us. He desires what is best for us and is always at work in our lives conforming us to the image of His Son, Jesus (Romans 8:29), and working all things together for our good (Romans 8:28). One of the blessings of gathering consistently with other believers at my local church is the sheer encouragement and motivation I receive from fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. They too are striving to walk with God and represent Him well in a broken world. I am reminded that I am not alone. My presence encourages them as their faithful attendance encourages me. I am reminded when I look at the congregation that I am not alone, and I need to hold fast, staying strong in my commitment to Christ.
How well are you holding on to your confession of faith? If you have withdrawn from the local church, then you are not doing very well. As we will see tomorrow, the local church is not man's idea or creation. It is God's big idea! He expects us to align with His will for our lives, which certainly includes gathering with the people of God on the Lord's day.
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