There are two main reasons we often neglect the church as believers. The first is that our hearts are elsewhere. We are not that interested in the cause of Christ because we are pursuing something else. We are not concerned about having fellow workers because we are not a fellow worker. The second reason we avoid the church is that it usually involves some people who are divisive and create obstacles.
No matter how hostile the world may become towards Christians, the Lord always has fellow believers available to us for support. We were never meant to stand alone, and we should be available to encourage other believers as well.
The apostle Paul faced countless persecutions as a Christian. From stonings to beatings to imprisonment, all of this was part of his experience as a minister in a world hostile to Christ. He even wrote some of his epistles while in chains, but he never failed to close his letters with greetings to his friends and fellow workers.
As he closes the letter to the Romans, he greets Prisca and Aquila, who risked their necks for him (Romans 16:3). He always had fellow prisoners and fellow workers. Though Paul was often alone, he was never alone, and neither are we. At this moment, we are surrounded by fellow believers. If we do not realize it, it is because we are not as involved in the local church as we should be.
There are two main reasons we often neglect the church as believers. The first is that our hearts are elsewhere. We are not that interested in the cause of Christ because we are pursuing something else. We are not concerned about having fellow workers because we are not a fellow worker.
