ONLOOKER CHRISTIANITY "Let us consider one another"

By our GUEST BLOGGER

And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.                                                                                               Hebrews 10:24-25
At times I have held back from commitment to a local fellowship for arguably good reasons.  It can be difficult to find a healthy local church that is faithful to God’s Word.  Church practice and style of worship can vary greatly, and is not always helpful.  There have been times when I’ve concluded that to stay at home and listen to a sermon would be of more benefit to me than to attend a place of worship.  But what if the purpose of assembling together with other believers is not only about what benefits me? 

When I encounter brothers and sisters in Christ with whom I disagree on secondary issues or those who are immature, should my response be to withdraw myself from them?  If things are not done according to my preferences do I have permission to remain distant and uncommitted?  Do all the New Testament exhortations regarding the way I am to relate to fellow believers become void if fellow believers don’t meet my expectations?  I don’t find any support for this in God’s Word. 

​Instead, I am to seek, pray for, and actively contribute to the good and the growth of my brothers and sisters in Christ.