I had previously talked about the biblical reality of the vital need for the local church gathering by noting the essence of the Greek word for "church."It's only fair to share the biblical admonition in that regard.
23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
-Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV)
Not only is the local church (and gathering with/as it) necessary for sanctification, there's a foreboding warning given regarding those who sin by neglecting such meeting together. Note the words immediately following:
26 For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries.
-Hebrews 10:26-27 (ESV)
In other words, those who neglect the gathering of the body are not stirring one another on toward godliness, nor are they being stirred themselves. They are not encouraging one another, nor are they being encouraged.
But also, they show themselves to be not part of Christ's body, His "assembly" (i.e., church) by the sin of absence, with only a fearful expectation of condemnation for God's enemies.
If that doesn't shiver your timbers, nothing will.
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