How do we know when we are guilty of forsaking (or neglecting) the assembling of ourselves with other Christians? Certainly, it is not determined quantitatively only or by the mere numbers in an attendance record. While those numbers can be quite revealing, they do not explain everything. Sometimes Christians miss for legitimate reasons such as sickness. Other times, Christians may have to miss occasionally because of their work, even though they do everything they can to get out of working on the Lord’s Day. Others have careers that may call one to duty in emergency situations (e.g., law enforcement, physicians, etc.) and may have to miss a service occasionally.

If the reasons we do not assemble ourselves together are illegitimate, then certainly we are guilty of the sin of neglecting (or forsaking) the practice. What are some reasons why brethren forsook their assembling with other Christians in the first century? The most likely reason was due to the persecution they experienced. Note the context of the passage (Heb. 10:24-25; cf. 32-34). Yet, rarely is this the reason why Christians forsake today. Instead of persecution, Christians today forsake for many shameful reasons such as a lack of planning ahead (Prov. 27:1), the failure to prioritize and put God first (Mat. 6:33; 1 John 2:15-17), a lack of love for the Lord (Mat. 22:37) (Giving only the absolute minimum in attendance is not loving God with all your heart.), an immaturity in Christ (1 Cor. 3:1-3), a richness toward self, not God (Luke 12:15-21) (e.g., career elevated above spiritual things, covetousness), and selfishness (Phil. 2:4; 1 Thes. 5:14).

Just as the first century Christians “continued steadfastly” in the acts of worship (Acts 2:42), we are to be devoted to assembling ourselves together. Fulfilling the command of Heb. 10:25 is not accomplished by numbers alone, but also by the attitude and commitment that we bring. This leads to the great importance of saints assembling themselves together: We assemble in order to please God because it is a command (Heb. 10:25). If we truly love the Lord, we will keep His commandments (John 14:15). Secondly, it is also an opportunity to worship God, a practice and preparation for Heaven itself! (Heb. 13:15; Rev. 4:1-11). Furthermore, it is a chance to encourage and build up one another, helping each other be faithful until the end (Heb. 10:24-25; cf. 1 Cor. 14:26).