Paul told Timothy to be instand "in season, out of season ..." (2 Tim. 4:2). Yet many things make "seasonal Chritians" out of many people. One who is a child of God ought to be dependable - not spasmodic, here today and gone tomorrow.

The very nature of Christianity demands faithfulness. It is a practice and not a mere profession. It is not only an intellectual philosophy, but a practical demonstration. A "saving faith" is a "working faith" (Jas. 2:14). Christianity demands fervor. It is not compatible with indifference and slothfulness. The Lord demands zeal (Rom. 12:11; Rev. 3:15). He demands constancy; a "never quit" attitude (Lk. 9:62). In short, Christianity is a religion of always (1 Cor. 15:58). There are several things Christianity does not depend on, for it is not circumstantial in nature.

First, it does not depend on location. The Pharisees depended on such things, sounding the trumpets in the synagogues and the streets, only to be seen of men (Matt. 6:1ff). Even their prayers, prayed "on the street corners" were calculated to impress men and not God. If we let out Christianity be seen only because we are in a given place, we are "seasonal" in that Christianity. It needs to be seen openly, to be sure, but not only there.

Second, Christianity is not chronological. That is, time does not determine when one practices his Christianity. It ought to make no difference as to the day or hour - one who is a Christian must be one at all times. But "seasonal Christians" are zealous only part of the time. For example, when vacation time rolls around, they may forsake the assembly completely because of poor planning or indifference. How many times have we heard, "oh, we had to be driving on the Lord's day." In our mobile society, do we seriously think the Lord is going to accept that? The Christian who is what he ought to be will serve at all the assemblies of the church, regardless of what time they may be. He will make arrangements to worship God whenever the time may be.

Third, Christianity is not climatical; it does not depend on the weather. Sure seems to be a lot of "fair weather" Christians! First, let it be understood that weather sometimes may make it impossible to attend worship services. But here we are talking about such things as "it was raining and we didn't want to get the kids out." Such folks are rolling two excuses into one capact wad - blame it on the good life-giving rain, and the little ones that God has blessed them with! Then along this same line, some "don't want to get out in the night air." I wonder if some people have never been outside after dark! Let me tell you something folks - did you know the "night air" is not any different than the "day air?" Just because it is dark doesn't change "air!" And besides, how come some only use this excuse when it comes to attending services?

Finally, Christianity is not sensual. By that we mean it does not depend on feelings. Certainly, folks get sick, and may legitimately be absent from services. This is not under consideration. But we use every ailment known to man to excuse our absence from worship. ?Some are so trivial as to not even deserve to be commented on. We have a "headache" (or armache, or nechache, and of host of other "aches") that don't feel a bit better when we are not worshipping god - and so we just forget about him. Question: "After you stayed away from worship with a 'hangnail,' did you feel any better?"

How much faith does it take to get in a nice air-conditioned car, ride in comfort to services, find ourselves a comfortable pew (and the ones in the very back seem most comfortable to some folks), sit in a nice building with air conditioning or heat and hear a soft sermon that touches nothing? Not much, if any! What if death found you home on Sunday with your annoying "headache" instetad of worshipping God? What if it found you fishing, or deer hunting, driving (or a million other places)? Would you trade placaes with the fellow who is in the assembly of the saints if you could?

Look at Paul - a constant Christian. He was faithful when in or out of prison; when he had friends or when all had forsaken him; when he was supported or not. Let us all divest ourselves of the "seasonal Chritian" mindset!  - Bill Moseley