Five Words to Saints: Privilege

 •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 8
 
Privilege – the privilege of being gathered to the Name of the Lord, is my first word. There is not a greater privilege on earth than this of being assembled with those who call on His Name out of a pure heart; gathered around Himself at His table on the first day of the week, to break bread for a remembrance of Him, and thus to show His death till He comes. Of all places on earth, this is the most blessed; of all privileges on earth, this is the highest. O, is it not sad to see the indifference of saints (even of those who know better) as to the Lord’s table? When a gifted brother visits a gathering, many come out to hear him, but stay at home when no such person is there. Is not this forgetfulness of Him who said, “Where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them”? (Matt. 18:2020For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20)). He who said, “This do in remembrance of Me,” is forgotten. The word which tells us not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together, is unheeded by those who so act. A sad contrast to those spoken of in Malachi 3:1616Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name. (Malachi 3:16).
But it is not only for the breaking of bread, on the first day of the week, that the Lord would have us assembled. We should embrace every opportunity of being together, whether for prayer, teaching, or preaching. If we come to God and His Word, we shall be blessed. Those who do not come together because there is no specially gifted person to meet, lose blessing, and practically ignore the fact that we have the Spirit of truth to guide us into all truth, taking of the things of Christ, and showing them unto us (John 14:17, 2617Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. (John 14:17)
26But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (John 14:26)). We are to be all caught up together, to meet the Lord in the air, to be forever with Him; And is it not a great privilege to be gathered here on earth in His blessed Name and presence? Let me entreat you not to miss any opportunity of being gathered with the saints. It is testimony to Christ to come together, and you are sure to get blessing, if your eye is single, your mind simple, and your heart subject to Him and His Word. Your presence also helps others, when you are going on happily with the Lord. Perhaps you are not aware how much it encourages your brethren, even though you take no audible part in the meeting, if you come in a right spirit; that is, in the spirit of self-judgment – not judging others, but self – and in the spirit of dependence upon God, and not looking to man.