The case for higher learning
What in the world would make a perfectly sane person devote two to eight years of their life to achieving a college or university education? We would surely avoid a jail sentence of that length and definitely try and dodge a military draft of that duration. So why would we place ourselves under such a rigorous discipline for so long? Is it because we have no choice? NO! The reason, the only reason we give up our freedom for hard classroom chairs is that we are sure to get something valuable in return. Students willingly devote their precious time to lectures and study because they know their education will someday pay rich future dividends.
For years I have been puzzled at the many people I have encountered that consider themselves Christians but yet do not make an effort to attend church or acquire any other Bible based education. They may read books and frustrate themselves with church on television but never darken a neighbourhood church door. It only seems logical to me that the more we learn about any subject the more effective we can be in that matter. Just as it takes advanced knowledge to get the most out of your computer, advanced study of the Bible and understanding the will of God requires more than just reading or watching TV on your own.
Oh yes--I know--churches, like everywhere else, can sometimes contain contentious people who may at times be difficult to get along with. That is the nature of the human experience, but then that didn’t stop us from mingling with people to get a higher education for ourselves, did it? No, we had a goal in mind, a goal that gave us the motivation to override the difficult circumstances required to achieve it.
So, this tells me that Christian believers who do not attend church simply do not see the value of the church as they might see the value of any other learning foundation. So, let’s consider what would be worth exchanging your peaceful sleep on Sunday morning. First of all, God established the church as a safe place where we can all learn and grow, encourage and be encouraged.
Let’s have a quick look at what God has to say about all this. Hebrews chapter 10 emphatically asks us to “Meet with other believers on a regular basis.” In 2nd. Timothy God says: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” Then in 2nd. Peter 1:20 God tells us; “But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, for no prophecy (Scripture) was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.”
God has always spoken through Scripture as His main mode of communication with us. Then, as His students, God teaches us by His modern day ministers, pastors and teachers when we meet for worship and study. By meeting together we can encourage one another with what each of us have learned from the Lord as well as being encouraged ourselves. The family of God is a wonderfully designed body that encourages, strengthens and sharpens itself. Outside of the family, we do not have the same advantage. In short, no person is an island unto themselves. See you Sunday!
2009 Douglas W. Greenfield