An advertising slogan for a men’s hair-grooming product says, “A little dab’ll do ya.”® In the case of the product, it’s true that your hair just need a little dab, but Christianity is not the same—our spirits need more than a “little dab” of spiritual stimulation. In Peter’s second letter to Christians in the dispersion he says, “This is now, beloved, the second letter I am writing to you in which I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, that you should remember the words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken by your apostles.” (2 Peter 3:1-2)
If Peter felt that repetition of his message of instruction and exhortation was necessary for Christians in the first century then it is equally, if not more, important for us today. In twenty-first century America our culture is more complex and distracting, and our commitment to our work, our social life, our children’s education, and many other things leaves us little time for ourselves. It’s unfortunate that if we feel we have to reduce any commitment it is more than likely to be to our spiritual life. Yet we desperately need to have the commandments of our Lord and Savior refreshed in our minds from week to week.
The feeling in many people’s hearts is, however, that they are giving enough to God by attending one service of the church a week—just a little dab of religion is all they want to get from God’s word. Bible classes are dismissed from their minds as of lesser importance and they cannot see the necessity for attending the evening service at all. Members are missing the beauty of worship and the stimulation of God’s word, often for empty pursuits or to chase after another buck or two.
The Psalmist writes: “A day in Thy courts is better than a thousand outside. I would rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God, than dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord gives grace and glory; no good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.” (Psalm 84:10-11) One day in seven that isn’t filled with the rush, hustle, and bustle of the rest of the week and is given to serving God not only enables us to fulfill the duty of assembling together but helps us to stimulate one another to love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24-25).
I want to encourage everyone not only to be faithful in attending worship services and Bible classes on Sunday mornings, but also to join in the evening worship and be present for Bible classes on Wednesdays. “Long for the pure milk of the word, that by it you may grow in respect to salvation.” (1 Peter 2:2)