At Men’s Reveille on Saturday, I was encouraged by the impromptu testimony of a brother who testified to enjoying a closer walk with the Lord for having spent regular, meaningful time with another brother. The more I read the Bible the more I am convinced that, contrary to the opinion and practice of many, God never intended His people to navigate life outside these kinds of close relationships.
Why do we need to meet with other believers regularly?
We get a picture in Moses’ words in Deuteronomy 4 just prior to Israel’s entering the land.
God is known by His Word. Moses reminded the people that on the day God “appeared” to them on Sinai (Horeb), they saw no form, but heard Him speaking. “Gather the people to me, that I may let them hear my words, so that they may learn to fear me all the days that they live on earth, and that they may teach their children also” (Deut 4:10). God reveals Himself by speaking.
This is why Jesus prayed for us just prior His passion, “Father sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth” (John 17:17). And Paul called Timothy not only to read the Word regularly among the gathered saints, but to preach it: “I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching” (2 Tim 4:1–2). So we need to hear His Word regularly.
God is known by His works. “Your eyes have seen what the Lord did at Baal-peor, for the Lord your God destroyed from among you all the men who followed the Baal of Peor” (Deut 4:3). God Himself may not be seen, but He can be known by what He does. Deuteronomy 4:3 mentions His work in judgment, but the chapter goes on to mention His work in salvation, works which prove Him to be the one true God (Deut 4:34-35).
The NT indicates that God has most fully revealed Himself in the saving work of Jesus Christ. In fact, the character and work of Christ so fully express the Father that Jesus said, “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9). So just as we know God by hearing His Word, we know Him by His works.
One might say, “Okay, I’ve already heard God’s Word and I’ve learned about His deeds. The question still stands: why do I need regular time with believers?” Deuteronomy 4 continues with two reasons:
In the absence of intentional reminding, we are prone to forget His Word and works! Moses exhorts the people, “Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget…” (Deut 4:9). He then commands them to continue teaching God’s word and works!
We need to hear repeatedly what God has said. We need to be reminded over and over what God has done for us in Christ. I always find it instructive that Paul, when writing to Christians in Rome, proclaimed his eagerness to preach the gospel to them. Why would he be eager to preach the gospel to those who already believe? We need regular exposure to the gospel in order to follow Christ in faithfulness. This is one of the means that the Holy Spirit uses to keep us in the faith.
In the absence of intentional reminding, we make false gods for ourselves. “Therefore watch yourselves very carefully. Since you saw no form on the day that the Lord spoke to you at Horeb out of the midst of the fire, beware lest you act corruptly by making a carved image for yourselves, in the form of any figure, the likeness of male or female…” (Deut 4:15–16). Something about the fallen human heart desires to worship what can be seen by the eyes. Without regular reminders of the God who has spoken and who has done great things in the gospel, we somewhat easily forget Him, and we make our own gods.
The NT teaches us that we walk by faith, not by sight (2 Cor 5:7). Our faith is fed by constant exposure to the gospel. Further, there is the reminder that while we do not see Him now, one day we will! “Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls” (1 Pet 1:8–9). We need mechanisms for regular reminders of God’s Word and works.
The wise believer, understanding these things, is eager then to do two things:
- Be found often in the presence of other believers who speak of the things of the Lord. If I need to be reminded of the Word and works of God in Christ, my closest relationships should be with those who habitually talk about Him (2 Cor 6:14-18; 1 Thess 5:11).
- Be one who speaks of the things of the Lord in the presence of others. Just as I need others, they need me. So I should consider how to stir others up to great love and faithfulness (Heb 10:24-25).
Who do you meet with regularly for the purpose of reminding and being reminded?
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