[The following is excerpted from the book, Gather: Getting to the Heart of Going to Church, Copyright © 2021 by M. Hopson Boutot. Click here to download the entire book for free.]
Faithful church attendance helps us grow in love and good works. I love the way the King James Version translates Hebrews 10:24, “let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works.” Faithfully gathering with God’s people helps provoke you to love and good works.
This can happen in various ways. The nursery volunteers seem a bit frazzled when you drop off your children before the service, and you’re provoked to be especially encouraging and thankful when you pick the kids up later. Right after you get settled into your seat a man comes up to you and thanks you for the prayer of confession you led a few weeks ago. He shares how the Lord has given him increased victory over that sin since your prayer. A fellow church member sitting near you has tears streaming down her face as she sings, “through many dangers toils and snares, I have already come.” You know the year she’s had, and you’re provoked to invite her to lunch after service to see how she’s doing. The pastor exhorts you to love your neighbor as yourself, provoking you to begin loving in ways you’ve heretofore resisted.
Notice also that this provocation to love and good works is a two-way street. You’re provoking others and they’re provoking you. But none of it is likely to happen if you’re not present. Sure, some local churches and some gatherings may do this better than others. But don’t think you can get this kind of holy provocation apart from the God-appointed means of faithfully gathering with His people. In other words, if God says this is the way to grow in love and good works, we better take Him seriously.(7)
7. Once again, John Owen is helpful here. He writes, “those assemblies where the life, the food, the nourishment of their souls; without which they could neither attend unto the discipline of Christ, nor yield obedience unto his commands, nor make profession of his name as they ought, nor enjoy the benefit of evangelical institutions: whereas in a due observance of them consisted the trial of their faith in the sight of God and man.” Owen, Hebrews, 23:521–22.