Our Things Or His Things?

TO READ: Hebrews 10:23-31

Let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

Hebrews 10:25

As a boy of twelve, Jesus had said to his parents, who had been looking for him, “Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?” (Luke 2:49). Jesus’ focus in life —even as a young man —was his Father’s business. This is what he was about.

What are we about —our things or his things? Jesus’ “things” included being in the temple listening and asking questions (Luke 2:46). Years later he taught in the synagogues (Luke 4:14-15). When he went to his hometown, Nazareth, “He went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath” (Luke 4:16).

If we, like our Lord and the apostle Paul, want to be doing God’s business, we, too, must meet with a body of believers. We will never find a perfect church, and if we do, we should be careful not to join it, lest we spoil it! We should make our presence felt in our church! If the church is a group of God’s people, God promises that he will be there. He said, “For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them” (Matthew 18:20).

Fellowship is a very important part of our spiritual life, for it keeps our faith burning. If a coal falls out of a fire, it will soon go out. Believers need to be an active part of a local church. As we focus individually and collectively on God’s things, God is pleased.