Individualism is all around us. As Americans, it’s part of the air we breathe. This rugged individualism can be great in certain areas, but it also comes with drawbacks. Thinking we can do life without the help of others, we are lonely and isolated. We rob ourselves of the natural need for community God planted within us.
Sadly, new technology and social media often seem to deepen the loneliness and isolation. The ancient Scriptural truth that it is not good for man to be alone has somehow been forgotten. How should we as Christians respond when we are tempted to slump into isolation?
The Bible points to our spiritual need for community.
First, community strengthens our witness for Jesus. In Acts, the early disciples had everything in common, and their powerful sense of community led to an even more powerful Gospel advance. As these disciples linked arms and faced the world, their Gospel proclamation was blessed, and vast numbers of people were saved. Such a large number of people coming to salvation would not have been possible if these believers had been isolated from one another.
We are truly stronger together than we are apart. So many in our culture are starving for community they don’t know they need. When the community of the church stands out, it piques curiosity. When we stand united together under the banner of Jesus, He accomplishes great things through us.
Second, our spiritual formation occurs primarily in the context of community. Of course you can and should read Scripture, pray, and practice other spiritual disciplines on your own. But how many vibrant, healthy, thriving Christians have you ever known who weren’t involved in community?
As we practice these spiritual disciplines in a corporate setting, we encourage and exhort one another to faithfully seek after God. When we individually lack the self-control to seek God, the larger church body pushes us toward a stronger walk with Him. As much as our flesh might push back at times, the fellowship of the church holds us accountable in our walk with God. As we do life with our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, we mature in our ability to relate in healthy ways to God and others.
Are you devoted to the community? To linking arms with fellow believers in Gospel proclamation? To growing in your walk with God and Christian maturity together? To speaking into the lives of others and having them speak into your life?
This week, think about how you might better connect with the body of Christ. Invite a friend to church. Ask a brother or sister out for coffee. Individualism may be all around us, but it need not describe us.
Pastor Kyle