“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”
(Hebrews 10:25)
It certainly seems that many excuses can be heard as to why some do not attend worship. Recently Brother Stan Neuenschwander gave me a newspaper clipping entitled “Churches Host No-excuse Sunday.” It seems that two denominational churches were making plans for a Sunday where there would be no excuses.
They would have nurses on hand for people who are sick that day, and eye drops available for those who stayed up too late on Saturday night. There would be lounge chairs for those who think the pews are too hard, blankets for people who say it’s too cold, and fans for those who think it’s too hot. There would be hard hats for those people who think the roof might cave in because it has been so long since they have been to church. There would be pictures of nature for those that worship God through nature, and a few cots for people who say Sunday is the only day they can sleep in. As you can see, there could be no excuses.
But is the problem really any of the above? Certainly there are those who are legitimately sick and cannot come. There are those who must stay with those who are sick and need someone to care for them. (I heard the story one time of two men who were fishing on Sunday. One said to the other, “Don’t you feel just a bit guilty about not being in worship.” He replied, “No, not at all. I couldn’t have gone anyway. My wife is sick at home with a sore toe!”) But, brethren, when we say we cannot come, is it truly something that prevents us from being in worship, or is it just our choice not to come. Too many times, I’m afraid, it is choice.
Our Lord died for us. It was his death and blood that was shed that saves. I’m glad he did not make any excuse!
– Steve Housley
Steve Housley is a former Pulpit Minister for Eastern Meadows Church of Christ.
