Hebrews 10:25

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Bro Blue

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This seems to be the go-to verse about not missing church. Today I wanted to see what the official definition of ' forsake' was. My dictionary informed me that it meant to leave entirely, desert, abandon. Now how exactly can a preacher throw this verse at the ones who miss church from time to time? Granted you ought to at least want to be there if you can, but things do happen. Or maybe you want to do something with your family sometimes.

Thoughts?
 
Bro Blue said:
This seems to be the go-to verse about not missing church. Today I wanted to see what the official definition of ' forsake' was. My dictionary informed me that it meant to leave entirely, desert, abandon. Now how exactly can a preacher throw this verse at the ones who miss church from time to time? Granted you ought to at least want to be there if you can, but things do happen. Or maybe you want to do something with your family sometimes.

Thoughts?
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It is a good verse. It shows us that the world is getting worse and we should find ways to meet with our brothers and sisters to strenghten each other's faith, and ENCOURAGE EACH OTHER.  But, to say that it means you can never miss an official meeting of the local church is ridiculous.  I was in ifb churches that meeting-ed us to death, as a SS teacher, choir member, deacon, elder, lawn mower, youth leader.  Came to my senses a long time ago.
 
That verse is talking about never going to church, not missing one or two meetings once in a while.  If you miss a couple services you haven't necessarily "forsaken" it unless you quit going completely.
 
Wheatpenny, that's exactly the conclusion I came up with today. I had just never thought of it until today. Not that I am advocating missing church if you can help it though. I feel a christian ought to have the desire to be with the brethren on a regular basis anyway, and to hear the word taught and preached. Just think this is one of those strong arm tactics.
 
Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 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.

(Hebrews 10:19-25 ESV)
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The entire point of the passage is that believers should be "stir(ing) up one another to love and good works. We should be encouraging one another. Now, how can you possibly do that if you don't meet together. It would be like a basketball coach going over what his team needs to do to win the game. If they don't show up to the game, it's pointless. Paul says to not forsake the assembling of ourselves together because we cannot stir and encourage one another if we are not together.

that's what the passage means. If you ask how many services you can miss before you "forsake," you have missed the entire point of what Paul is saying.

As JrChurch had a good example about a spouse. Should I ask my wife how many times I must be with her for her to not consider me "forsaking" her? No, of course not! I want to be with my wife. I need to be with my wife. I shouldn't' forsake being with my wife. Sure I was away for part of the evening tonight for a Bible study, but I'm home now. I don't ask how many times I can be away. If you love your brothers and sisters in Christ, you will want to be with them. You won't be seeing how often you can be away.
 
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