QUESTION: Is it worth being gathered to the name of the Lord?

RESPONSE: Sometimes we can get lost in the quagmire of searching for the truth regarding the question of being gathered to the name of the Lord, and end up wondering whether all of it is really worth it. We can be tempted to throw it all away in frustration and say: “After all, what does it matter?” We understand that it can be frustrating, but there is a good answer to this. I owe brother David Graham the favor of having given the answer to this question. He said that the answer is actually threefold:

First, God wanted there to be a testimony to the name of Christ in this world. God's will was that Christians be gathered for worship and ministry around the Person of His Son.

Second, the Lord Jesus takes pleasure in seeing His own gathered around Himself to enjoy their company. Psalm 50:5 indicates this in the form of a principle, even though it is referring to Jewish believers in a future day. There it says: “Gather My saints together to Me, those who have made a covenant with Me.”

Third, the Lord wants His people to have the very special pleasure of being where He is in the midst, for it is a privilege to be there. When we experience this we will say, like Peter: “Lord, it is good for us to be here” (Matt. 17:4).

These things should be enough for us to desire to seek the place He has chosen and to be found there in His presence. This is the will of God.

Bruce Anstey

November 2009 Christian Truth Publishing