English
Português
Español
Français
Response
“I don’t like going to church.” “I can worship God by myself. Why do I need other people?” We often hear such statements said with conviction, and we may question their validity. Is it necessary to engage with other believers in a local church to effectively serve God? Ultimately, salvation is a personal choice. So, why involve others afterward? What is the issue with going solo?
It is indeed true that one’s relationship with God is a deeply personal decision. No one can instill faith in us except God (Ephesians 2:8-9;John 6:44). Engaging in church activities does not impress God or earn His favor. His love and favor are based on our faith in the atoning sacrifice of His Son for our sins (Ephesians 1:7;Colossians 1:13-14). The decisions to obey and yield to the Holy Spirit are personal choices that cannot be made for us by others. Each of us will be answerable to God for how we have managed all that He has entrusted to us (2 Corinthians 5:10;Matthew 16:27;Revelation 22:12).
Nevertheless, upon entering God’s family through being “born again” «Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. », (John 3:3), we are transformed into “new creations” «Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. », (2 Corinthians 5:17). With this new birth experience, we are like snakes shedding our old skins.Skin. Our spirits inflate with the presence of God, and that new Spirit crowds out the old ways. Our desires change. Our outlook changes. Where we once lived only to satisfy ourselves, we now have a longing to please Jesus and glorify Him «Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. », (1 Corinthians 10:31). If no change occurs after a supposed conversion, it is likely that no regeneration occurred. C. S. Lewis said, “If conversion makes no improvements in a man’s outward actions then I think his ‘conversion’ was largely imaginary.” Part of the change is a desire to be with others who also love and serve Jesus. Being a “solo Christian” is not the norm.
There are several reasons why every born-again believer needs to be involved with other Christians. First of all, the New Testament is filled with admonitions to “love one another”—the “one another” refers to fellow Christians (John 13:34-35;1 Peter 1:22;1 John 4:11). Love is not just a noun; it is an action verb (see 1 Corinthians 13:1-8). We are to actively pursue ways in which we can demonstrate unselfish love for each other. “Solo Christians” who avoid association with other believers cannot do that.
Second, most of the books of the New Testament are letters written to churches, not to solo Christians. Although God loves us as individuals, we are collectively referred to in Scripture as “the church” «Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; », (Ephesians 5:25,32) «This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. », (Ephesians 5:25,32). The Epistles, addressed to groups of Christians, include detailed instructions on how members should conduct themselves within the group. The letters were meant to be read collectively and are best understood in the context of a church working together. As a whole, Christians are referred to as the “bride of Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:2;Revelation 19:7). The majority of the New Testament provides guidance on how the “bride” can prepare herself for her groom, Christ.
We are also identified as the “body of Christ.” This body consists of many parts, similar to a physical body «Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. », (1 Corinthians 12:27). No single body part can function independently. The heart cannot function alone; the chin cannot survive on its own. Each part requires the involvement of all other parts to operate effectively. The same principle applies to the members of the body of Christ. Jesus equips each individual with specific gifts that He intends for us to use for the benefit of the whole (see 1 Corinthians 12:12-30). Romans 12:4–5 states, “For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” This passage does not support the idea of individual Christians.
A third reason why individual Christianity is not advisable is that we require the support and responsibility provided by our fellow believers in Christ. Often, those who avoid participation in a local church are unaware of significant blind spots and spiritual strongholds they may have. By not being accountable to other believers, solitary Christians lack the support needed to strengthen their weaknesses.Weaknesses. Flaws such as pride, greed, envy, anger, and a judgmental spirit often grow unchecked in the heart of one who rejects spiritual oversight from those who could gently guide him back to obedience «Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. », (Galatians 6:1).
The solitary Christian who isolates themselves also misses out on preaching, corporate worship times, and opportunities to serve. Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” We grow sharper as useful tools for God when we learn from each other, pray for each other, and invest ourselves in the lives of others. Local churches offer many opportunities in which to use our gifts to serve others and glorify God. Avoiding such connections weakens the lone Christian as well as the local body.
Finally, we have a formidable enemy who “walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” «Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: », (1 Peter 5:8). The lion metaphor works in Scripture because God’s people are often referred to as sheep (Psalm 95:7;Psalm 100:3;1 Peter 2:25;Mark 6:34). As any good shepherd knows, the sheep are safest when they stay with the flock, under the watch-care of a kind shepherd. First Peter 5:2 exhorts pastors with this: “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them.” A pastor is called the shepherd of the flock. It is his responsibility before God to nurture, protect, and encourage the sheep God has entrusted to him. A lone sheep, separated from the flock, is vulnerable to the enemy.Wolves and lions typically do not attack a healthy flock. They wait for one that lags behind, isolated from the shepherd and the safety of the fold.
Christians must engage with other believers to stay healthy and fruitful. Satan cannot snatch a soul that belongs to God “My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.”, (John 10:29), but he can make our lives ineffective for the kingdom by persuading us that we do not require fellowship, spiritual support, or challenge from others. He enjoys causing trouble, fostering bitterness, disappointment, pride, and a critical attitude to keep solitary sheep away from the flock (Ephesians 4:30-31;1 Peter 2:1;Colossians 3:5-10). Then he assaults them with discouragement, temptation, and deceit to eradicate any heavenly treasure that the loner could have accumulated for themselves (Matthew 6:20;Matthew 10:41;Luke 12:33;Revelation 22:12). We will spend eternity worshipping with other redeemed saints of God. We might as well learn to relish it now.
