God Will Overlook It . . . Just This Once
God Will Overlook It . . . Just This Once
Many Christians attempt to justify sin, particularly that of forsaking the assembly, by using the excuse listed above,. When they have a family event, a decoration, or company in for the weekend, they forsake the assembly or stay at home to entertain, thinking to themselves, "God understands; He will overlook it just this once." Maybe a Christian has an opportunity to engage in what might be a "once-in-a-lifetime" recreational event (concert, ball game, a trip of some sort, etc.). Rather than seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matt 6:33), they rationalize the situation, "God understands how much I want to do this. He won’t mind if I miss Bible study or worship just this once." Is this the attitude one should have toward Him who gave His Son to die for our sins?
Jesus made perfectly clear what is to be our attitude toward Him and the Father, "He that loveth father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he that taketh not up his cross, and followeth after Me, is not worthy of Me" (Matt 10:37-38). When Christians forsake the assembly, they set aside the cross they promised to bear when they obeyed the gospel. They also follow their own desires in spite of knowing what the Lord would have then do. God will not be relegated to second place in the life of the Christian (or anyone else for that matter)! Any Christian thinking otherwise is in for a rude awakening at the day of reckoning and judgment. Don’t fool yourself, there will be hell to pay on the part of those who act in such a manner.
In addition, some Christians believe it is perfectly acceptable to forsake the assembly so long as they assemble somewhere. While it may at some time be necessary to assemble privately due to a lack of a local congregation or due to unforeseen circumstances, some Christians assemble with denominational groups on Sunday morning and believe they have satisfied the command to assemble. Note what Hebrews 10:25 says, "Not forsaking the assembling of yourselves together, as the manner of some is . . ." The assembling together is to take place with fellow Christians. Denominational bodies do not "fit the bill." I have seen some Christians assemble with unauthorized religious bodies on Sunday morning and then return to their home congregation on Sunday evening and partake of the Lord’s Supper. This practice is unacceptable. If one may forsake gathering with the saints and with the Lord to assemble with denominational bodies once, one may do it every week.
The following is a test to see how the "just this once" excuse measures up against the plumb line of truth (Amos 7:8). Check all that apply:
_______ God overlooked Adam and Eve eating the forbidden fruit just that one time (Genesis 3:1-24).
_______ God overlooked the Israelites’ creating and worshiping the golden calf, just that one time (Exodus 32:19-35).
_______ God overlooked Nadab and Abihu’s use of unauthorized fire in the worship just that one time (Leviticus 10:1-3).
_______ God overlooked Uzzah when he touched the ark of the covenant because he had a good reason and he only did it once (2 Samuel 6:6-7).
_______ If we sprinkle water on a person’s head and call it baptism, God will overlook it just this once (Romans 6:3-5; Colossians 2:11-12)
_______ If we bring in a piano or an organ for the services, God will overlook it just this once (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16-17).
_______ If I cheat on my spouse and refuse to repent, God will overlook it just this once– and my spouse should too. (By the way, forsaking the assembly is the equivalent to spiritual adultery.)
The above unerringly proves the fallacy of the "God will overlook my sin this once" theory. We are commanded to take up our cross daily and follow after Jesus (Lk 9:23). Remember the closing words of the song, I Have Decided to Follow Jesus- "My cross I’ll carry ‘til I see Jesus, no turning back, I’ll follow Him."
Yours in Christ,
Todd Clippard