“It is not good for man to be alone” (Genesis 2:18)
When God saw man before the completion of the sixth day and creation of woman, He announced it was not good for man to be alone. Though God saw His creation good and even very good, yet in viewing the state of man God pronounced it was not good. This pointed to the inadequacy of man; he was incomplete without someone to properly complement him. Notice a few observations:
1) At this point there is no sin
2) God and man have perfect communion, yet
3) God told man, that being alone was not good.
Now I know exegetically this passage is speaking about the marriage covenant, but I can hear the singles shouting right now…”Thank you Jesus…it is not good being alone.” This world has everything catered toward couples. As much as we tell people to trust in God, it is possible that there is a void that 1) only God can fill and 2) only humans can fill. My point in writing this blog is not to focus on marriage per se, but to focus on the value of human relationships. In the book DNA of Relationships, Gary Smalley says, “you were made for relationships.” We have relationships of all kinds; family, friends, co-workers, etc. The secular world gather at stadiums, Starbucks, and on the strip to feel connected. Yet many within the body of Christ are disconnected. We live in a society full of mass vehicles of communications yet we communicate less and less. We have become dislocated body parts. I believe that we must continue to develop a community. The writer of Hebrews urges us to not forsake our gathering together, for when we fellowship we provoke each other to love and good deeds. (Heb 10:24-25).
I once read that “the church is where authentic community can take place.” If you really think about it, hardly anyone really wants to be isolated, in fact even those who live in rural areas find themselves meeting with people on some level. Why is this? We were made for relationships. We cannot escape it! No one just appears on earth; it takes all sorts of relationships for you to come into existence. Many of you who are reading this blog have found yourself becoming an isolationist, and those who fall into this rut are thieves. Yes you are a thief, because you are robbing our generation of the gifts and talents deposited in you. Can you imagine the cure for cancer either walks on this Earth or lays in a grave? Many live and die without serving our generation and in many graves lies the various cures, musicians, prolific thinkers, etc. The bible says about David that after he served his generation well he fell asleep (Acts 13:36).
Not even plants can grow unless in the midst of soil. Where is your good soil? Where are you planted? Who is in your community? The writer of Hebrews says, “let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” Notice that this passage is written to a group, or community of Hebrew Christians whose attraction to Christ was in danger of eroding. For they were considering reverting back to the Levitical system of Judaism to avoid the persecution of following Solus Christus (Christ Alone). Therefore mutual encouragement for them was vital for full commitment. The writer says, “stir up” which evokes inciting someone to something, such as love and good works. Lastly, the writer said to not forsake the assembling because corporate worship is imperative to our spiritual life. Notice the passage says “and the more as we see the day approaching”. One of the master thinkers of our time is a guy name Francis Shaeffer, who wrote one of my favorite books A Christian Manifesto. Profound. In his book he says, “our relationship with each other is the criterion the world uses to judge whether our message is truthful for Christian community is the final apologetic.”
Remember it is easier for a predator to prey on a sheep separated from the flock. Easier for the wind to knock down a tree alone. There is always strength in numbers. So whether you are married or single, remember God wants you to be among others, so that you can be provoked and provoke others to love and good deeds. All that God has placed in your life is for the benefit of the entire church, not just for your life. SE7EN!