There is a dangerous phenomenon out there among Christians - Ill call it island Christianity. It is the belief that an individual Christian is an island with no accountability, no need to submit to anyone but God. Such individuals often move from church to church - or avoid church altogether - eschewing any possibility that God will speak to them through a pastor or fellow Christian. They often seek voices that speak what they want to hear. In our tech age, they often find them conveniently distant, via media that dont require any relationship. And when they do get in community, they use the first disappointment or conflict as a reason to once again retreat into themselves. There is truth to the idea that we are to submit first and foremost to God. But it is also truth that He has placed us in community. There are others around us whom God has given a voice in our lives and we do well to listen closely for those who bring us strength, encouragement and comfort, as well as teaching, correcting and training. Often, the island Christian will isolate due to pain - theyve been hurt before in the church. But just as often they do it because they simply want to be a law unto themselves, to seek out their own desires. But whether we avoid Gods community out of aggressive pursuit of sin or passive avoidance of pain, we walk ourselves into error when we set ourselves apart from the Body of Christ. Yes, community can be painful and can force us to face our own issues in the context of the issues of others. But when Jesus prayed that we would all be one, he didnt say that it wouldnt come without struggle. The glorious thing about it is that, when we submit ourselves one to another in community we reap the benefit of becoming whole - not one day when Jesus returns, but in His present Kingdom.
Posted on: Thu, 10 Apr 2014 15:23:05 +0000
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