Monday, January 28, 2008

The Manner of Some

A very well-known, often-used verse of the Bible is Hebrews 10:25 - "not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." This verse has been especially associated with absentee Christians. There are many members of the church who consider it necessary to come only once a week on Sunday.

This is there custom. The word "manner" in the Greek is "ethos" and pertains to that which is a usual or customary manner of behavior. It may also be defined as a habit. Thayer explains that many of these customs have their original prescription from the law.

When you see this word in other sections of the New Testament, it is mostly identified as an accepted custom of a group of people. It was customary for the Jews to assemble in Jerusalem for the Passover feast (Luke 2:42). It was a custom for the Jews to be circumcised, therefore they struggled with accepting the uncircumcised Gentiles (Acts 15:1). Jesus was buried according to the accepted manner of the Jews (John 19:40).

Perhaps the most significant word in Hebrews 10:25 is the word "some."This word means only certain ones. Some is not all, and yet some is also more than none. The implication of these two ideas together is that there are a few who have made it their custom to be different than the rest. The problem is that this custom is not according to a commandment or law, but rather is disobedient to the command to assemble when the saints have gathered together.

Habits are hard to break. I have come to understand that there is no sermon, no Scripture, and no approach that will break the manner of some. But my prayer is that each one will love the Lord and His church enough to assemble at every opportunity with the body of Christ.

"I was glad when they said to me, 'Let us go to the house of the Lord.'" ~ Psalm 122:1

2 comments:

  1. The sad thing is that so many don't realize how much more deeply you're blessed and involved by being in attendance. The active core of any church is made up of the folks who are there all the time, and they are the ones who enjoy the close relationships others covet. Members who attend less frequently have no opportunity to become a part of that core, and often don't know what they're missing.

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  2. You are right, some people begin to establish a habit of being at worship but will not maintain it. Some come to worship out of habit. The the power of habit is amazing.

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