It is important that at the beginning of this series we take a general look at how much time we really spend with believers. Spending time with other believers can have massive benefits to everyone involved, but are we really getting the benefits available? Are we “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil” as Ephesians 5:16 puts it? This will be the key throughout the series, we have such a short time to serve the Lord and to “lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:” as Matthew 6:20 would urge us to do.

Firstly there are many opportunities to meet together, both in meetings of the local church and also informally in other situations. I know from experience that some assemblies are more hospitable than others and that at some there will be many opportunities to gather together in a home or for a meal or other activity whereas others will rarely if ever gather like this at all. Whatever opportunities we have, we have to do our best to take them! We need to remember that each one of us has a role to play within the assembly the Lord has placed us in, and that without us being there, there will be something missing. It is always good to see a building full, but if we’re not there, there will be an empty seat, and once there’s one empty seat others soon follow. It’s always a joy and an encouragement to everyone, to see a good company of the Lords people gathered together “all with one accord in one place.” Acts 2:1

When we gather together we need to come ready to give and receive from the Lord and be present as often as we can. There are so many times we have to mix with the world that we need to meet with believers in order to counteract these other, unprofitable times. Yes we can have good times with non-Christian friends and colleagues but the world can never give us the spiritual food we need. But sadly there are times when gathering with other believers gives us little if any more than we could get from the world. Do we come prepared to think and talk as the children of light that we are? Ephesians 5:8 “For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:” so we need to be willing to discuss spiritual things not just during meetings and on Sundays but at all opportunities.

So how can behaving like this help us in our spiritual walk?
Firstly if we spend time considering the Scriptures together and trying to act as children of light we can only become more Christ-like which should be a goal of every Christian today.
Secondly there is always strength in being together, when we meet each one of us is strengthened. When we part, the world takes its toll so we need to take every opportunity to be together.
Finally keep in agreement! Each one of us if different and may have differing views on the Scripture and assembly practices. Obviously we should evaluate these against the Scriptures but as believers our aim should always be to build up and not to break down.

Spending time with Introduction		Christ's parables Kingdom Parables

All quotes are from the King James version of the Bible unless otherwise specified.