No Man is an Island
There is a sickness in men, mankind that is. The inability to follow wisdom is rampant at every level of society and religion. People often think, “I can do this myself, I don’t need help or direction in my walk with God”. This of course, is very wrong, but I’ve personally witnessed this thinking and behavior, maybe thousands of times. I can sit here and write this and hope that those who need direction will hear this and come back; but this might better serve as a warning to those who are also being tempted, to “do their own thing”.
Here is how this thinking happens. Some form of offense arises from interaction with a good leader. It could be that they were challenged to change, or maybe they wanted recognition and didn’t get it, or maybe they have never seen how true spiritual growth occurs. The next step that follows, is to find fault with God, or His words, or the bible, or quality teachers. The third step is they begin to resent the love of the truth, which was the walk they first had. As a result, they cease from attending church services, and eventually all interaction with their former Christian relationships. Now, they are an island, floating in the sea. Notice this in Revelation 2:4-5,
“But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place — unless you repent.”
For many Christians, walking alone is a most difficult thing. It takes a great deal of willpower, self-discipline, and humility, to walk alone. To walk alone successfully, you have to have self-control, in your walk with God, and be critical enough to admit mistakes to yourself.
Starting when I was quite young, I have started many small and large businesses. From selling potatoes from a small wagon, to candle making, to financial investments, and large construction projects. You learn a lot about your weaknesses from starting things, because if it falters or fails, you only have you to blame.
Business hopefuls and startup groups, have consulted me, and asked me for direction in their projects. Even if they have a great education, practical skills, or a ton of money; I’ll generally know early in our meeting, if they have the stamina to go the distance. It’s not a crime to know the practical traits, about your strengths and your weaknesses, your nature and your character. However, most advice people get from God, or the Word, or from those who have done it before them, mostly goes unheeded. This is why we need each other. Notice, the wisest man ever born prior to Jesus’ writes in Ecclesiastes 4:9-12,
“Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.”
No man is an island. God created us and designed us, to work with one another, and to help others in their walk with God.
If you are tempted to go it alone, stop right now and repent. God calls very few people to a wilderness experience. You need to be involved, and a working part in the body of Christ, not separate and apart from it.
Our prayer for today;
Father, I repent of anytime that I have slipped away from the body of Christ, because of rebellion, offense, or stubbornness. I ask for the help of the Holy Spirit to warn me, when I think that I can do without everyone else, in Jesus’ name, amen!
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