"Things Regularly Done"

Larry R. Ping II

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     We often hear commercials encouraging us to regularly do things, like see the doctor, visit the dentist or have your oil changed. While these things are good to do, Christians must be regularly involved in the following, more vital actions.

 

    1. Regularly Assemble With God’s People. The Hebrew writer penned “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” (Heb. 10:25). It is a good thing to consistently be with God’s people. Recall, “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin” (James 4:17). Regular assembling brings with it consideration, a stirring up of love and good works and encouragement (Heb. 10:24). We should adopt the attitude of the Psalmist who wrote “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD” (Psa. 122:1). When the doors are open for assembling and study, and I have the ability to go, then I have laid upon me the responsibility to go. If not, why not?

 

    2. Regularly Pray. People of the Bible were people of prayer. So they are today. The New Testament calls upon Christians to “Pray without ceasing” (I Thess. 5:17). The Philippians were taught “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God” (Php. 4:6). Consistent communication with God is important. Let us not grow lax.

 

      3. Regularly Study God’s Word. Paul commanded Timothy “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (II Tim. 2:15). The Bereans were championed because “they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11). Conversely, the people of Hosea were “destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6). We should determine to “read” the Bible so we can “understand” what it intends for us (Eph. 3:4). Steady Bible study keeps one from swallowing destructive false teaching. Study hard!

 

    4. Regularly Commune. The early disciples did. Acts 20:7 reports “And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread...” Each week has a first day, so we can know then they regularly observed the Lord’s Supper. Those who consistently forsake the assembling cannot be constant in their duty to “eat this bread, and drink this cup” (I Cor. 11:26).

 

    5. Regularly Give. To the Corinthians Paul authored “Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come” (I Cor. 16:2). As we give, we do so “as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver” (II Cor. 9:7). A good example of this was a widow who “cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury” (Mk. 12:43). She gave sacrificially. Those who steadily absent themselves from the assembling fail in their duty to regularly give. This injures both the individual soul and the work of the body.