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| A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver |
It is important for us to know why we come together. There are many church-goers, sadly, who do not even know why they meet together. They "go to church" because it is Sunday then they go come and watch football and the commentary could state "the assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together" (Acts 19:32). It is very difficult, if not impossible, to obtain or deliver any benefit in the assembly of the saints if you do not know why you are there. If nothing else, determine that when you gather with the people of God it is "for the better" (1 Cor 11:17), that is, for the betterment and advancement of everyone who is present. The Lord is framing people together in the church that He might maximize their capacity to edify one another. Togetherness is of great worth.
A Perfect Gathering. Being fitly framed together speaks of perfection; a completed project. The assembly of saints is not just a collection of individual parts but the fitting together of those parts. The church, after all, is the gathering of many incomplete members and unified as one complete body. The assembly, no matter how small a delegation, is a demonstration of that while the culmination of this framing together is in heaven when God finally gathers together all things in Christ (Eph 1:10). The assembling of ourselves together now is a kind of firstfruits of that greater more perfect gathering.
Completion is the aim of Paul's exhortation: "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment" (1 Cor 1:10). That is an environment in which God can work. We see an example of this in the first days of the church when "all that believed were together, and had all things in common" (Acts 2:44-47). The brethren perfectly complimented one another by some selling their possessions and giving to other who had need. They were completing that which lacked - both physically and spiritually - and God strongly supported them.
A Perfect Gathering. Being fitly framed together speaks of perfection; a completed project. The assembly of saints is not just a collection of individual parts but the fitting together of those parts. The church, after all, is the gathering of many incomplete members and unified as one complete body. The assembly, no matter how small a delegation, is a demonstration of that while the culmination of this framing together is in heaven when God finally gathers together all things in Christ (Eph 1:10). The assembling of ourselves together now is a kind of firstfruits of that greater more perfect gathering.
Completion is the aim of Paul's exhortation: "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment" (1 Cor 1:10). That is an environment in which God can work. We see an example of this in the first days of the church when "all that believed were together, and had all things in common" (Acts 2:44-47). The brethren perfectly complimented one another by some selling their possessions and giving to other who had need. They were completing that which lacked - both physically and spiritually - and God strongly supported them.
Utility. Believers have been joined together that they might be an effective and productive people. The assembly of the saints is to be productive in the purpose of God. We are the building "of God" and are "being builded together" by Him and for Him (Eph 2:22). Like any building project, materials are gather and fitly framed together in order that they may function according to their purposed end. So it is with the church. The people of God are gathered and fitly framed together that they may function according to their purposed end - the glory of God and the building up of each other in love.
It is my perception that many people gather together with little or no expectation of being productive. Many people see the majority of the work of the church as something that happens outside of the confines of their gatherings together. Basically, their gatherings are a sort of tradition with no real work being accomplished. It is often seen as the place of preparation. But we must raise these expectations. The church is "an habitation of God through the Spirit" (Eph 2:22) in which and by which He is mightily working. When the whole church comes together there is great expectation because the assembly of the saints is a fruitful field. It has been divinely appointed that nourishment from God is delivered to the people of God "by joints and bands" and this is when they increase "with the increase of God" (Col 2:19). In a body the "Joints and bands" are where members come together! Nourishment is ministered there!
It is my perception that many people gather together with little or no expectation of being productive. Many people see the majority of the work of the church as something that happens outside of the confines of their gatherings together. Basically, their gatherings are a sort of tradition with no real work being accomplished. It is often seen as the place of preparation. But we must raise these expectations. The church is "an habitation of God through the Spirit" (Eph 2:22) in which and by which He is mightily working. When the whole church comes together there is great expectation because the assembly of the saints is a fruitful field. It has been divinely appointed that nourishment from God is delivered to the people of God "by joints and bands" and this is when they increase "with the increase of God" (Col 2:19). In a body the "Joints and bands" are where members come together! Nourishment is ministered there!
Diversity in the Assembly. The body of Christ needs every member. "The eye cannot say unto the hand, 'I have no need of thee'" (1 Cor 12:21). God has so "tempered the body together" that there should be no "schism...but that the members have the same care one for another" (1 Cor 12:24-25). The body is arranged in such a way that each member, whether comely or uncomely, is necessary and can provide care for the other members. This, again, is particularly true when those members all assemble together.
If God is working in someone, the rest of the body needs to partake of what God has wrought in them. In other words, what God gives to you is not only for you. The body of Christ needs every member to supply that which they have been given; "When ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation..." The various members offer various things in the assembly but God works those things together for the good of all. Therefore, "Let all things be done unto edifying" (1 Cor 14:26).
The Blessed Work. The people of God are fitly framed together and "compacted by that which every joint supplieth" (Eph 4:16) and thereby are built up, increased, and grow with a growth from God. In this "togetherness" in the assembly God is able to supply the needs of each individual member by working through the others. He is able to give insight or understanding to a member who can add to and capitalize on what He gave to another member. He gives portions to each member so when they come together they are more whole. That member which is incomplete of itself is completed when it is gathered together with the other members. A great work is accomplished in the assembly of the saints. God is fitly framing His people together so that they can partake of and participate in this work of edification.
Let us all take up the prayer of the apostle for all saints everywhere, "that their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ" (Col 2:2). Let us be among those who are "striving together for the faith of the gospel" (Php 1:27) "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).
Let us all take up the prayer of the apostle for all saints everywhere, "that their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ" (Col 2:2). Let us be among those who are "striving together for the faith of the gospel" (Php 1:27) "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).
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