Going it Alone
Are you familiar with the expression, "Going it alone"? Have you ever decided you just don't need other people, or maybe you just don't like other people? Sometimes we seem to think they create more problems than they offer benefits. As Christians, do we sometimes think we can also "go it alone"? Do we think, "Well I have Jesus so I don't really need other Christians."?
Family of God
It is true that as a Christian we are never truly alone. The Holy Spirit lives in us. God promises to always be there for us. So why do we need others? The Bible tells us clearly that faith is not lived alone. As part of the body of Christ we can't separate ourselves from other members of the body and be successful Christians. We are a part of the family of God.
Learn-Fear-Obey
As far back as Deuteronomy 31:12-13 the Lord instructed his servants to gather together. Why? First, to learn about their Lord. Secondly to fear the Lord. Last to observe his commands, in other words, to be obedient. These instructions, we are told, were especially important for children.
Remember Him
In Matthew 18:20 Jesus tells us that whenever two or more are gathered in His name, He is there. Surely, we want to be in a place where we know without a doubt that Jesus is. At the Last Supper Jesus instituted communion. This sharing of His body was to be done together with other Christians. Jesus says it should be done to "remember Him" (Luke 22: 19-20). This was not something that Christians ever did alone.
Devote Yourselves
In Acts 2:42 the young church is described as being unified by devoting themselves to learning more about Jesus, breaking bread together (sharing communion) and praying. The church, as a whole, was being strengthened to face the trials that would come to them in the world. Paul, in Ephesians 4:1-3, asks the church to bear with one another in love as we try to maintain a spirit of unity in peace. If I could worship all alone this wouldn't be so important.
Teach and Admonish
Colossians 3:16 tells us to teach and admonish one another. Admonish in the Bible means to warn someone in a loving way. We can't be taught or admonished if we don't gather together. The way that we should do these things, Paul tells the church, is with the singing of the Psalms (from the book of Psalms), hymns which praise or honor God and with spiritual songs - songs that deal with spiritual ideas such as salvation or grace to name just a few. All of this is to be done with grace. This is how we grow our faith - together.
Comfort Each Other
1 Thessalonians 5:11 reminds us to comfort and build each other up. You can't do this alone. We need to be with other Christians. We need to communicate and teach, warn and comfort, pray and sing as a body of believers. Of course we can watch wonderful sermons on our televisions. Of course we can pray for others alone in our home. Of course we can listen to wonderful Christian music with no one around, but the Bible makes it very, very clear that we are mainly to do these things with other Christians.
Our Family Has a Purpose
Psychologists tell us that being part of a group, belonging to something, brings happiness. Family is important for this very reason. We have a need to matter to other humans. This need is fulfilled perfectly when we belong to Christ. We are all a part of Him. We have a common purpose, to share the love of Christ to others and to tell them what He has done for us.
Encourage One Another
We assemble together, Hebrews 10:25 tells us, so that we can exhort each other. This simply means that we are to encourage one another. This life is hard. The Christian life can be hard. We need encouragement, prayer and teaching. We need to share our experiences of the Lord's blessings in our lives. What greater way to be encouraged than to hear how God has worked in the life of another believer?
Let's Not Go It Alone
Of course there are times, sadly, when we really can't meet together, but it is so incredibly important that we see the need for fellowship with one another when we have the opportunity. Who knows if we will always be able to meet as easily as we do now? Let us pray that our Father will place the desire in the hearts of those who have decided to "go it alone" to once again join with the family of God and praise His holy name.
Enjoy this beautiful hymn, "The Family of God" here.
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