Most Americans are very independence oriented. I don’t mean the kind that leads to freethinking individualism and bold decision making. I mean independence in the sense of being detached from others. It’s the kind that bears itself out when someone says, “You can do whatever you want as long as it doesn’t affect me.” It’s the kind that longtime neighbors exhibit when the sum of their relationship is a wave and pleasant smile. Embedded in the American psyche is an isolationist, “live and let live” attitude.
It’s a notion that works out in theory, but not so much in reality. Each of us influences others and we, ourselves, are influenced by others. Participation in any kind of a community—church, family, work, neighborhood—impacts the other members of the community. Even a decision to isolate oneself from the community is still a choice that impacts the whole.
If true, then “live and let live” should be replaced with “my life affects how others live.” That is an entirely different perspective on living life! And it’s one that is seen in Scripture. Consider the effect that the ten wicked spies had on the rest of Israel when they brought back a bad report about the land of Canaan.
Then all the congregation raised a loud cry, and the people wept that night. And all the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The whole congregation said to them, “Would that we had died in the land of Egypt! Or would that we had died in this wilderness! Why is the LORD bringing us into this land, to fall by the sword? Our wives and our little ones will become a prey. Would it not be better for us to go back to Egypt?” (Num. 14:1–3)
According to Exodus 12:37 there were 600,000 men (not including women and children) that were on the wilderness journey. That means that hundreds of thousands of people were cursed to wander and die in the wilderness because of the unbelieving influence of those ten men.
Another example is in Deuteronomy 20:8 where God gives instructions about who to take into battle. “And the officers shall speak further to the people, and say, ‘Is there any man who is fearful and fainthearted? Let him go back to his house, lest he make the heart of his fellows melt like his own.’” When life and death was in the balance there was no isolationist mentality. On the contrary, God warned against the negative impact that a few timid souls could have on the entire military force. In both scenarios, the disloyal spies and in preparation for battle, faithlessness is contagious.
Because God knows that you live in community and that your life affects others within it, He has instruction concerning it. In fact, He has specific ways of ensuring that you are a positive influence.
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (Heb. 10:24–25)
Isn’t that interesting? God’s idea of encouraging other Christians to love more and to practice good deeds is to encourage one another regularly and faithfully in church. Has it occurred to you that your participation in church on the Lord’s Day affects the entirety of the local church family? Seeing you, praying with you, singing next to you and taking the Supper along with you are all ways in which you stir up one another to love and good works!
It would take little effort to find sermons to download that are, in many ways, better than the ones you hear at your church. There are online preachers that speak more eloquently, that have more interesting examples of application and that never once look down at any notes. But the Christian life is not characterized by “live and let me listen to my podcast preacher.” Christian life is lived in community and your participation at those weekly reunions matter. It has a genuine effect on others.
Take a moment to evaluate your influence on your church family. Are you present and engaged in meaningful relationships with the family? Are you stirring others up to love and good works? Are you an encourager? Be sensitive to the conviction of the Spirit regarding your role in your church family and how you can use your influence to grow the kingdom of God more effectively. Choose to be there and be involved.