What are we supposed to be doing while our usual church practices are hindered by the pandemic? Hebrews 10:24-25 gives us direction:
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Let Us Consider How to Stir Up One Another
In tough times, it is important for Christians to think about one another and take it upon ourselves to spur one another on toward love and good works. If we don’t our brothers and sisters may lose their commitment to Christ and his ways. They may not be able to endure.
Let Us Not Neglect to Meet Together
To neglect to meet together according to this verse is not the same as making a prayerful decision to abstain from Christian gatherings temporarily during a pandemic.
The word translated “neglect” means giving up, forsaking, leaving behind, abandoning, or deserting. It’s the idea of permanently leaving Christian gatherings behind, not temporarily waiting until its safe to meet.
What’s in view here is Christians developing the “habit” (ethos, custom) of not meeting with their fellow Christians. It’s talking about the way one missed Sunday service turns into two, then three, then four, and before you know it, you aren’t part of the church anymore. The Christian who has carefully decided not to meet due to a dangerous virus has not necessarily made isolating from fellow Christians a habit (although the habit could form if the Christian isn’t careful).
The alternative to “neglecting to meet together” is “encouraging one another.” Meeting together isn’t the point. Encouraging one another is.
Let Us Encourage One Another
The biblical idea of encouragement is robust. It can mean exhort, rebuke, charge, warn, comfort, and more. It’s the relational dirty work of people who truly love one another and are committing to blessing one another.
These are times for rolling up our sleeves and caring for one another. This is not a time for passivity. We need to encourage one another “all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
Let’s not wait for things to get back to normal. Let’s take responsibility for one another right now, during the pandemic.
If you decide to meet in person with your fellow Christians, let it be for the purpose of building them up (not just to meet). If you decide not to meet in person, find another way to encourage your brother and sisters.
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