I heard it put like this:

Look at each Christian as a burning coal. When that coal is removed from the fireplace and left on it's own, it's going to slowly lose it's warmth and turn cold. The fire will burn out. But when that coal is with other coals, it burns brightly. So small groups right? That's like a fireplace. The coal is going to burn much better in that setting, because it has the other coals to help it. But, look at corporate worship as a bonfire. How much greater is the blaze! It can be seen for miles! And in a world so dark, that is greatly needed. And if Jesus is the fire, then why would you ever be satisfied in the fireplace, or out alone even? If you love God as much as you say, and you want to be with him so badly, then why would you ever pass up the opportunity to be consumed?

I don't understand people sometimes. It just doesn't add up to me. Doesn't seem to make any sense. And I've heard people say it's because the church is corrupt, or dead, or any other number of excuses. See, when I read the Bible, all I ever hear about the church in Christ's day is of the corruption of the Pharisees, and how spiritually dead they were. Yet Christ never neglected going to the temple to worship. Wherever he went, he always made a point to go to the temple to teach and fellowship with the local believers. If it was good enough for Jesus Christ, then it should be good enough for us. I don't even see how there could be debate over something like this. I always thought scripture was pretty clear on the subject. It really breaks my heart to see how misguided some people are. When we aren't working for God's side, then we are working for Satan's. There's no middle ground. When we go against the church, we are going against something Christ himself ordained. It was all his idea anyways. I don't know. I was in tears this week in church. And this isn't a rarity for me. I am moved by God's spirit in that place. I don't know how I could just pass that up.

- posted by Jonathan@ 7:23 PM