In the face of the covid-19 pandemic, many people and many activities have been forced into virtual living and virtual-based. People are working from their homes more than ever, group meetings are being held in cyberspace, and social interaction is occurring by telephone and other technological means. Churches have been meeting virtually as well, with people sitting in their cars and listening on their radios, and sitting in their homes listening to their radios or watching worship services on television or on their computers.
“Words from Above” tell us in Hebrews 10 about believers in Jesus having a special boldness to enter into the presence of the Lord through the blood that Jesus shed on the Cross to pay the penalty for the sins of all the people of the world. The writer of Hebrews tells us that the death of Jesus on the Cross provided a new way, and a living way, into the presence of the Lord.
The writer tells us in verse 22 to draw near to God with a true heart in full assurance of our faith. He says that we can do this because we have had our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. The blood Jesus shed on the Cross purifies the conscience of those who confess their sins to the Lord and seek for His forgiveness. Since none of us were there when Jesus sacrificed His life on the Cross, in a very real sense it is necessary for us to have faith that He actually did this. It becomes a virtual act of faith on our part that Jesus died on the Cross for our sins.
In verse 23, the writer went on to say that it is extremely necessary for believers to “hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering on our part”. In other words, we must always believe that God will fulfill His promise to us to be with us as we live out our faith for Him. The writer goes on in verse 24 to tell believers how necessary it is for them to “consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works”. Of course, we can do this virtually, but the effect is never the same.
This is why the writer concludes in verse 25 that believers should not “forsake the assembling of themselves together, but instead they should exhort one another, especially as we see the day of the Lord approaching.”
Nothing replaces believers gathering together to worship the Lord, and it is hoped that this is the goal of believers as our nation opens up for business as usual.
Larry R. Steffee is pastor of the Center Hill Brethren In Christ Church on Miller Road in Smithville. Everyone is welcome to attend. For informa-tion, you may email lrsteffeetn@yahoo.com.
