So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.
I wonder if sometimes, maybe even many times, the person holds much of the responsibility themselves by the choices that the have made! Please, hear me out!! I have seen many times that a person that was headed out the door, usually, gives a few signs that they are going in that direction. I heard a analogy years ago that I believe still holds true to this day, "A church member is a lot like a car. It will usually start missing before it completely stops." I cannot count, how many times in churches that I have witnessed for myself this to be true. Many times the person will miss a service or two and then they begin to miss more and more frequently until they stop coming all together. Here is the danger, if a church member chooses to place them self outside “the circle” of Christian fellowship by not fellowshipping and worshipping with other Believers, then it is not gong to be long before that church member has stopped coming all together. But the church will many times be blamed for it! Another analogy of this is to think about what happens to a coal that falls out of the fire? It immediately begins to fade until it eventually goes out! Also note, if that coal is placed back into the fire, even though it is fading, it immediately catches fire once again and burn bright. I do believe that as church members we have a responsibility to reach out and gather those coals that have fallen outside the fire and try and help those cars that are sputtering and missing before they quit coming all together. But I also believe that each person has a responsibility to remain in a fellowship of other believers as to not start to fade and go out! The old saying goes, "There is security in numbers." And this is true in many different aspects of our lives. Where are you in relation to the fire that God builds in His church and among other believers? God uses fellowship with other Believers to keep you burning hot for him! It’s like being placed back in the fire so you can be stoked back up, to then go out in the world for a few days until the church meets again! Another way of remianing on fire for the Lord is through His Word. God's Word in written form is another way to supplement our flames while we are away from the fire pit! We should never neglect the Word and in turn the assembling of other Believers! These were just a few thought that were in my mind this afternoon what do you say? Please comment and let's build the flame together according to proverbs 27:17.