Those are certainly worthy truths to believe!

I am currently wrapping up a post on Romans 7 and 8 to finish off the series (although the Lord may lead me on further…).

…and you’re welcome!!

Thanks for pointing me to a fresh look at ‘at-one-ment’…

Thanks, God bless!

The phrase “Go to church” really means (what I meant, anyway) “coming together in the Lord’s Assembly” doesn’t it?
Is not “a body, to worship and learn, to comfort and love each other, to bear one another’s burdens” the same thing as “bringing together of individual heart exercise(s)”?

I do believe that it certainly can mean that. But, in my experience, what happens when most folks ‘go to church’ is a tightly scripted and very rote routine which involves very little free interaction of the members of the body.

I realize that this is a broad generalization, but I think that it still covers most of what actually goes on most Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights across the nation (or world?).

I believe that the Lord is troubled over this, brother, as it deeply troubles my own heart. There is so much to be said about all of this…

But thank you for your kind words and blessings. May the Lord continue to open the eyes of our hearts.

Much grace to you, my friend.

“Ouch!” indeed!

I do remember something of this virtual conversation. It was from a rather ‘firey’ period in my own life, one in which I had the highest spiritual wisdom and was ready to crush anyone with an opinion (or observation) which did not agree.

Brother, *please* forgive the tone of attitude in those statements, as I have and do repent of it myself.

Without having the full conversation before me, I can’t recall the context of what you posted above, but I’ll do my best to respond to your question.

I think, at the time (if I remember correctly), you were suggesting the need to keep the sabbath day. If that’s the case and if what you mean by ‘keeping the sabbath’ is to follow the pattern found in the Old Testament, or even that we *must* go meet as a body every Sunday (or Saturday), then I would still have to disagree with your position on that.

However…

I have always firmly believed in the coming together of the Lords people for the sake of expressing the Living Christ.
If Christ fulfilled the Law, then *we* are no longer called to fulfill it. Christ fulfills it in us. We are no longer bound to the letter, but we are instead joined to the Spirit.

I believe that, for us, to ‘keep the Sabbath’ is to ‘abide in Christ’.

Even still, with all of that being said, If a community of people choose to select a regular gathering day (even Saturday or Sunday) to get together and express Christ, then I say Amen!
In fact, I encourage it.
But to set this up as a law which *we* must obey, I think, misses the point.

Yes, I am aware of Scott’s condition, and my heart is broken over what he, his family and close friends are going through right now. Scott is a most precious and valued instrument of God’s Word and the enemy knows that, but what the enemy doesn’t seem to know is that God is using every bit of this trial to further His Own Kingdom.

I do not pray that this trial go on and on.
I pray that it end NOW.
Anyone reading this, please agree with me for the healing of Pasture Scott Mitchell.

Do you recall the following? Comments between the “///” are yours (Ouch!) – the others mine(smile).

“However, “Christ is my Sabbath” can be morphed into “have my Sabbath on the baseball field or in our family fishing boat” which is the point of Albert Mohler’s article, “‘The New Family Trump Card’ — Family Time vs. Church Time” referenced in Pastor Scott’s blog and the comments by Marie and Mic.

///Ah yes, the blessed “H” word.

“However”

How it wreaks of spiritual wisdom and biblical insight.
It is almost as hallowed as the word “But”.///

In Exodus 20:11 it is clear that the Sabbath is a literal “day” to be kept Holy.

///Yes it was, for a certain people in a certain time.///

We go to Church to gather as a body, to worship and learn, to comfort and love each other, to bear one another’s burdens.

///Sorry brother. We don’t “go to” church. We are the church.
Huge difference!

The things which you are reffering to are the attributes of a People, not an event, and are therefore to be exercised as a Way of Life as opposed to a list of “church-time” duties.

(I should know better than to even be having this conversation! God help me.)///”

My question to you, my friend, is: Do you still believe what you said? If you agree with T. Austin-Sparks on “The Lord’s Assembly”, it would seem to contradict your comments to me. (Yes, I understand that “we are the Church”.) The phrase “Go to church” really means (what I meant, anyway) “coming together in the Lord’s Assembly” doesn’t it? Is not “a body, to worship and learn, to comfort and love each other, to bear one another’s burdens” the same thing as “bringing together of individual heart exercise(s)”?

In any case, May you continue to be blessed in your quest for the Truth.

FYI, I’m sorry to tell you that our mutual friend, Scott Mitchell, is very seriously ill. Please pray for his full and complete healing.

Much Peace to you, brother.