Unity in times like these
The benefits of gathering at church out weighs the absence thereof. Becoming a member of a church that seeks God and his kingdom; that is that somewhat follows the scriptural pattern of a true religion according to James has become a little difficult to do (Ja1:26-27). Finding a church where there is no back stabbing, slandering, hypocrisy, cursors, sloths, cheaters, has become easier to find then ever. The bible calls it the apostate age or the falling away time, when the church will be filled with people whose heart is not right with God. Jesus prophesied this era when he said that many would be offended and betray one another (Mt24:10). He spoke to the church of Laodiceans about their lukewarmness state, that if they did not change he would spit them out of his mouth (Rev3:15). Paul warns Timothy that a time would come when people would not tolerate sound doctrine and set up teachers after their own hearts (2Tim2:3-4). People will have forgotten the real reason why we gather at church and the benefits that this brings. That there is a bible doctrine based on the gathering and relationship of the believers that God holds true to.
Psalms 133:1-3
1 How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! 2 It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe. 3 It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.
Now, the relationship of the believers should be that of unity and a harmonious fellowship. We are mandated to love one another (Jh13:34), in the same magnitude as how the Lord loves us. In the human aspect it is compared as the pouring of this precious oil being poured on the head of the priest Aaron. It was a holy ritual to anoint his servant with holy oil to consecrate him to the Lord. This feeling of accomplishment; of finally getting to the position in life where God want him to reach was fulfill. That feeling needs to be the same in reaching the unity in the body of Christ. The scriptures encourages us to comfort one another and to be at peace (2Cor13:11). Unity of the believer is a Spirit thing; it affects the flow of the spirit and what he wants to do. And, Paul tells us that we need to keep the bond of peace so that we can have the unity of the Spirit (Eph4:3).
This unity of the believer is compared to the effects that nature has on its own, for example, the dew that flows from the hills of Hermon and mount Zion. When the dew comes it refreshes the air, it waters the plants and trees preparing them for fruit. And, in the unity of the believer there is that refreshing feeling to those around us. Jesus said that when we bare fruit others will know that we are his disciples (Jh15:8). The unity of the believer it prepares the ground or hearts for the word (Mt13:8),
26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other,
15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!
3 Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer.
34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
11 Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.
John 15:8
8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
Matthew 13:8
8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.