Dear Reader
"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is…" (Heb. 10:25).
A old Christian asked a young military officer to give a few words of testimony during a young people meeting. The young people had just sung, "Like a mighty army moves the Church of God," so when the young soldier arose he said, "You might have been able to sing that hymn some years ago without anyone challenging you, but now millions of men know exactly how an army does move. And it doesn't operate the way a lot of you do. Suppose the military accepted the lame excuses you present as an alibi for not attending meetings. Imagine this if you can: Reveille sounds, and the squads form on parade ground. The Sergeant barks out, "Count off! One, two, three…say, number four is missing. Where's Private Smith?' 'Oh,' says a chap nearby, 'Mr. Smith was too sleepy to get up this morning. He was out late last night and needed the rest. He said to tell you he would be with you in spirit.' 'That's fine,' says the sergeant, 'remember me to him. But where is Brown?' 'Oh, he's playing golf. He gets only one day a week for recreation, and you know how important that is.' 'Sure, sure,' says the sergeant cheerfully, 'I hope he has a good game. Where's Robinson?' 'Robinson,' explains the buddy, 'is sorry not to greet you in person but he is entertaining guests today. Besides, he was at drill last week.' 'Thank you,' says the sergeant smiling. 'Tell him he is welcome any time he finds it convenient to drop in for drill.' Honestly, folks, did a conversation like that ever happen in any army? Why, if any G.I. tried to pull that stuff, he would get twenty days in the brig! Yet you hear things like that every week in church. 'Like a mighty army!' Why, if this church really moved like a mighty army, a lot of folks would be court-martialed within the hour!"
Christian, read Hebrews 10:25 again and then ask yourself, "Should I be court-martialed?"
May the Lord use this issue of Toward the Mark to help you grow and be established as you read it. Thank you for your e-mails and notes of encouragement. Please keep us in your prayers.
Yours in our soon-coming Lord,
Emil Nashed
Please send your questions and comments to:
Toward the Mark
C/O Wayne Christian Assembly
60 Smith Lane
Wayne, New Jersey 07470
Attention: Emil S. Nashed
