The Lone Ranger Was Not Alone
A disciple asked, "I spend much time at your site and enjoy it a great deal. Thank you for the blessing of the free studies section. I was wondering if there is a scripture(s) specific to no man being an island and seeking to live independent of the Body of Christ? I recently shared that with a Christian brother and he asked me for the specific scripture. I would appreciate any advice or information you could provide relevant to this issue. Thank you so much and may God bless you."
The phrase "no man is an island unto himself" is actually an idiom and not found in the Bible. The precise quotation is, "No man is an Island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the Continent, a part of the main. - John Donne - Meditation XVII.
However, the meaning behind the quotation is central to God's plan for man as evidenced from the Genesis account and carried throughout the whole of the Bible; it is called restoration, first to God, and secondly, with each other.
The beginning of the Bible's restoration theme is found at the beginning of all things - in the Book of Genesis. God created man who enjoyed the image of God, the intimacy of God, and unbroken fellowship with God.
However, man chose to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. He decided to take his life into his own hands. Instead of living from the wisdom, righteousness, and resources of God, man would live on his own very limited resources - he chose to become "an island unto himself."
With this tragic decision, man lost his godliness (God-image), intimacy and fellowship with God. Immediately, man attempted to cover his nakedness, yet, our loving Father provided clothing made from an animal skin. This clearly shows God's plan of redemption and restoration for fallen man. That initial sacrifice, providing clothing, pointed toward the ultimate sacrificial Lamb of God - Jesus Himself.
Numerous other Scriptures denote that, in Christ Jesus, God restores His people to the Father-child relationship that was broken by Adam's disobedience. All who believe in Him are brought back into the household of God (Eph. 2:19) and are destined to be conformed to His image (Rom. 8:29).
In essence, there are no lone rangers in the Body of Christ, only lonely people. A person who cuts himself off from others will soon be out of step with everyone.
"The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him." (Gen. 2:18)
"A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment." (Prov. 18:1)
"I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name - the name you gave me - so that they may be one as we are one." (John 17:11)
"How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!" (Ps. 133:1)
David stated that unity is pleasant and precious. Unfortunately, unity does not abound in the church as it should. People disagree and cause division over unimportant issues. Some delight in causing tension by discrediting others. Unity is important because (1) it makes the church a positive example to the world and helps draw others to us; (2) it helps us cooperate as a body of believers as God meant us to, giving us a foretaste of heaven; (3) it renews and revitalizes ministry because there is less tension to sap our energy.
Jesus' great desire for his disciples was that they would become one. He wanted them unified as a powerful witness to the reality of God's love. Jesus prayed for unity among the believers based on the believers' unity with him and the Father. Christians can know unity among themselves if they are living in union with God. For example, each branch living in union with the vine is united with all other branches doing the same.
Living in unity does not mean that we will agree on everything; there will be many opinions just as there are many notes in a musical chord. But we must agree on our purpose in life--to work together for God. Our outward expression of unity will reflect our inward unity of purpose.
Live Christ Deliberately!
Doug Morrell
Director, CORE Discipleship Group Ministries
Copyright 2003 by Doug Morrell, CORE Discipleship Group Ministries, http://www.coregroups.org. You may copy this article for free and distribute as long as you do not change the content, make sure this copyright statement is included, and you distribute for free. Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers. |
