“. . . not forsaking our togetherness . . .”
Hebrews 10:25
We must remain together. We must remember that we were made for relationships. And we cannot in any way isolate too far from others, nor can we allow others to isolate too far from us. We must stay connected. Let’s not forget some of the basic reasons for relational connectedness discovered in God’s Word.
First, we must stay connected for the purpose of mutual encouragement.
“Let us take thought of how to spur one another on to love and good works, not abandoning our own gatherings, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, even more so as you see the day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:24-25)
In isolation, limited connectedness can fool our minds into thinking that we are now facing life on our own. This can cause our dependence upon others to repress. Even with others in our own home, the tendency to turn inward to ourselves instead of reaching out can become a dangerous consequence of isolation. We desperately need one another. The Bible reminds us to spur each other onward in our faith in Jesus. In this context, “to spur” conveys the idea of stimulating and firmly moving one forward toward good things. Oh, how desperately we need the loving motivation of others to encourage us forward toward all that Jesus desires for our lives: loving Him and others, and serving faithfully. Such encouragement requires that we “gather.” The original thought for “gathering” expresses “to come along side” (Greek: parakletos). This type of gathering is unstoppable, because “to gather” in this sense focuses upon the spiritual relationship – encouraging one another’s faith. This represents a relational-spiritual reality Jesus has created between His followers. The original term for “gather” primarily referenced “togetherness,” and in Christian life, the term emphasized “together for worship.” So, in whatever means necessary, may we not spiritually distance ourselves, but rather find ways of continuing our encouragement of one another in fellowship and worship – coming along side to encourage or spur one another forward in faith.
Second, we must stay connected for accountability and help in facing daily struggles.
Two people are better than one because they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)
This truth warns against aloneness and assesses the significance of all relationships such as marriage, family, friendships, and the religious or faith community. The togetherness God has created offers benefits otherwise not obtainable: mutual love, encouragement, intercession, counsel, and support. The togetherness of Christian faith significantly helps one another succeed in his or her walk of commitment to Christ. But, alone, one can easily fall into trouble because of the absence of spiritual accountability. Do you know someone right now who desperately needs help in their aloneness? Reach out and offer help.
Third, we must stay connected to help carry one another’s burdens.
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)
The letter to the Galatians was written to a large region of faith communities in the first century, and the purpose for the correspondence was to counter the false teachings of those who propagated the Hebrew law over faith in Christ. Paul spoke in creative terminology and referred to the “law of Christ” to emphasize the heart of Jesus over legalistic approaches to faith. Paul instructed mutual love and support among followers of Jesus: carry each other’s burdens and fulfill the law of Christ. There are weaknesses and grievances that we each can often carry with heaviness in heart and mind. Fear and doubt can discourage faith. The devil can tempt the heart’s affection to run after that which is not of God. Physical infirmities can cause the soul to feel sick as enthusiasm to serve Jesus can become stifled. Everyone, at one moment or another, can testify to grievances of body and soul. Burdens can become all too real. When alone, the burdens are so incredibly debilitating. Why? We were not meant to “do life” in isolation. We were made by God for relationships: with Him and with one another. We must stay connected to help one another carry the burdens of this life.
There are many other verses from the Holy Scriptures directing us toward our need for one another, and the above verses represent God’s instruction to truly prioritize relationships within the community of faith. We must stay connected. We cannot allow others to isolate too far.
Today, how active are you in keeping others connected? Are you sensitive to the needs that can emerge from an ever-increasing culture of distancing? Followers of Jesus have the answer to the growing challenges of isolation: we have the Spirit of Christ flowing in and through us. Let’s reach out creatively and purposefully in His name.
Let’s discover ways to reach out to express the unconditional love of our Savior, and may we begin right in our homes. But may we not forget to move beyond our own little sanctuaries to a world in need.
Blessing,
Ken
Read Galatians 6:1-10 to rediscover our interconnectedness as a community of faith.
