No child of God, truly, wants to behave in ways that dishonor the Lord. Being isolated has all manner of justifications that make it appear to be appropriate and even best.
Yet, as we have seen, although in summary, isolation is the enemy's tool to not only divide the church but to destroy the saint. The lion may be the king of the jungle, but a lion in isolation is vulnerable prey! The same is true with the child of God. In Christ we are strong, but in isolation we are in enemy territory. Soon we are snuffed out, deceived and ravaged by the world, our flesh, and Satan.
While God is showing His glory during this pandemic He is also exposing hearts that are inclined to isolation. Many have changed their idea of community in a destructive way, believing that worship on the computer is a replacement for worship in community. Granted we are blessed to have this technology but too many have become too comfortable with it.
Ministry and discipleship can and are being done via technology and we should be good stewards of this gift. Yet, in order it to be effective and transforming, it will demand a great deal of intentionality on the part of the church and the online community. In all of this, however, we must be careful that we are not empowering isolation in the disguise of ministry.
This is why it is written in the book of Hebrews,
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near (Hebrews 10:24–25).
The fundamental drive of being isolated is the exact opposite of the call of being a Christian. Isolated persons seek to not be known but the Christian is called to never forsake being known. This is what Hebrews 10 above is speaking to. The call to stir up, to encourage one-another, etc., can only take place when we know, and are known by, others.
Given our current climate of in-person worship being restricted by space or, for some churches, not meeting at all, the functionality of community is different. This being the case, how can we fight against the sin of isolation when it seems thrust upon us? Let me offer three, brief, disciplines for us to develop and execute.
See isolation biblically. We will never change until we see that who we currently are is in contradiction to what brings honor to the Lord. We must refuse and refute the social and sinful justifications that affirm being isolated and see that such a desire cannot be from the Lord who unites, but from the god of this world (and my flesh) that divides. Nothing but death comes to those in isolation. None of us would choose actions or attitudes that were ungodly and disruptive in the moments when we are thinking with spiritual, Christ-centered, clearly.
Evaluate your isolation through the gospel. It is important that we are always viewing our lives through the lens of the gospel. The gospel teaches us that we are not all that we could or should be and that, on our best days, we are still weak and frail. Christ, however, died not for the godly but the ungodly and, therefore, when my ways, heart, thoughts and desires are sinful I need to run, with all my might, to the gospel. When you fail, you are not a failure; you are a saint who is battling with the remaining of effects of sin. "Being better" is not your hope. Our only hope when we fail is that Christ has died for our sins and, therefore, there is now no condemnation to those who trust Him
Don't ever believe it's dead. Please know that sin (and Satan) always play possum. That is, they play dead, but are still very much alive. Never think that you have come to the place where sin is never to be a problem anymore. The gospel has freed us from the penalty of sin but not from the presence of sin. That freedom will only take place when we are in heaven. So, when you are winning against the temptation and the behavior of isolation please don't let up on your fight. It may be quiet but it ain't dead! Never trust your life. Always trust Christ.
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