The Bible is a library of books given by God. God used human writers to produce the Bible, but God Himself is the author. The apostle Paul encouraged his younger comrade in the faith to, “continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:14-17). The word translated “scripture” in verse 16 of our English text is the Greek word graphe; it refers to that which is written down. Several English words—such as autograph, biography, graphite, etc.—that connote the concept of writing have graphe as their origin. While in former times God communicated to man in various ways such as dreams, visions, prophetic utterances (Hebrews 1:1), it is the written message under consideration here by use of the word graphe. If we are going to know the will of God and spiritual truths that are essential to our salvation, we must go to what is written in the Bible. We are not going to simply wake up one day and intuitively know God’s will. We must read so that we can understand (Ephesians 3:4).

            The phrase translated “inspiration of God” in 2 Timothy 3:16 is from theopneustos in the Greek; referring to “expiration” (Bauer 449-450). The exhalation of God’s breath was the means by which all scripture was given. While one may have ideas without expressing them, the vehicle of expression for those ideas must be words. Paul wrote, “or what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual” (1 Corinthians 2:11-13). God breathed the words of scripture. He did not merely give rough ideas to the writers of the Bible and let them run with them elaborating and editing as they saw fit. The scriptures are the words that Holy Spirit gave to the biblical writers. David said, “The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue” (2 Samuel 23:2).

            Thus, when we approach the Bible as readers, we must keep in mind that God is the ultimate author of the words. Different humans may have been used as His instruments and their various situations, cultures and vocabularies may have been employed to communicate the message, but it is still God’s message given in the words He has selected. So, do not come to the Bible to set the various writers at odds with one another or with this dismissive treatment of saying things like, “Well, that’s just what Paul thought and he was sexist.” No. God gave each writer the words of His message. If we have an issue with what is written, then our issue is with God, the author.

-Mark Day

Church attendance is one of those subjects that some Christians would rather not discuss. Some feel that preachers and elders mention it too often rather than discussing what they consider “important topics”. I ask the question, have you considered that your attendance at all the assemblies of the Lord church matter? It matters to elders who watch for your soul (Hebrews 13:17). It matters to Bible class teachers who work diligently preparing material from God’s word for you and your children (Ephesians 4:11-12). It matters to the preachers who spent the week preparing something from God’s word for your spiritual benefit (2 Timothy 4:2-4). Most of all it matters to God who commands Christians to assemble (Hebrews 10:25), and to the Lord whom we are to remember every Lord’s Day (1 Corinthians 11:23-29).

Let us examine ourselves as to where our priorities are? Paul points out to the Colossian Christians that being Christian involves higher priorities “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth” Colossians 3:1-2. Paul is saying that the heart be not set upon that which is “below” (the world) in the same way, and to the same extent, in which it is set upon things “above” (heaven). Where are your priorities? When Christians do not give spiritual matters priority in their lives, the only conclusion one can draw is that they are not truly committed to a life that is risen with Christ. One of the priorities of a life risen with Christ is that of assembling with other Christians.

Our attendance shows how important God is to us. “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him” John 4:23. If we truly reverence God, if we truly love God, we will assemble to worship Him.

Our attendance shows how important the church is to us. “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching Hebrews 10:25. Note please the vital connection of assembling together and exhorting (encouraging) one another. Such opportunities are missed when we absent ourselves from public worship assemblies.

Our attendance shows how important Christ death is to us. During the assembly on the first day of the week, Sunday, New Testament Christians remember the death of our Lord Jesus Christ. Christ commanded regarding the Lord’s Supper “this do in remembrance of me” 1 Corinthians 11:24-25. This we cannot do if we miss the church when it comes together, 1 Corinthians 11:17, 18, 20, 33.

Our attendance shows how important God’s Word is to us. Luke reminds us, “And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight Acts 20:7. Brother Kevin Rhodes said regarding this “These Christians wanted to hear the Gospel proclaimed. Indeed, they stayed late into the night listening to it. When we think that a Bible class or sermon is too long or too burdensome, so that we simply cannot fit it into our busy schedule, then we must not truly care about God’s will for our lives.” Building Blocks, Strengthening Our Faith, page 6.

Someday God will welcome home His children, those who wanted to be with Him, who wanted to learn of Him, who wanted to be like Him. God wants you in the assembly and Bible Study and He wants you to be in heaven. This is why attendance matters to God, and why your attendance should matter to you.                                                                       

-Jerry D. Sturgill