From the Pastor: Dr. M. J. Seymour, Sr.
“Then contended I with the rulers, and said, Why is the house of God forsaken? And I gathered them together, and set them in their place.” (Neh. 13:11) “…the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.” (Acts 20:28b)
The text of Nehemiah is in response to the deplorable condition at the Temple Mount. The Israelites had neglected the assembly, the sacrifices, the offerings, and the care of the priesthood. This abandonment forced the priesthood to leave off the work of God that they might provide for their own families. The spirituality of Israel had been relegated down to mere lip service. Israel boasted of being God’s people, but the brag was as empty as their hearts were.
Sadly, our generation is also experiencing the great abandonment of the houses of worship for the love of the world. Preachers are leaving the ministry in large numbers that they might adequately provide for their families, just as the Levities did. The chief question at hand is, “Why is the house of God forsaken?” There are many self-rationalizing excuses that are used to sooth one’s conscience. Israel had gone the same way, finding worldly appeasements more suitable to their fleshly lusts. Baseless excuses! Simply, one forsakes the house of God because his heart has already forsaken God and cares nothing for the will of God.
Holy Writ instructs us: “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) Abandoning the Lord’s local assembling of the saints at His designated location is a gross sin in the eyes of God. Has not the church (not the building) been purchased by the blood of God? Shall we then neglect the blood of God and the body of Jesus?
Forsaking the house of God is the product of ungodliness and sinful hearts. We are told: “Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end.” (Eph. 3:21)
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