He is of the opinion that spiritual growth is exclusively individual hence no one needs a spiritual gathering in order to grow. A piece of advice for you: Be wary of him!
There is something peculiar to the typical freelancer!
Although he has a connection to a system, he is never committed to it. Though he sometimes identifies himself with a group, he takes actions or forms alliances independently.
The freelance believer is no different.
TELL ME ABOUT HIM!
He is a cool guy but has no commitment to any local church. Yes, he is (or claims to be) born again. However, he doesn’t see the need to fellowship with the saints. In fact, he mostly shies away from spiritual gatherings. He is a solitary Christian – more like a spiritual hermit.
He’ll rather pray (even in tongues) for hours and study the bible (mostly for the sake of argument) on his own. No matter what you tell him, he is of the opinion that spiritual growth is exclusively individual hence no one needs a spiritual gathering in order to grow. You know anyone like him? A piece of advice for you: Be wary of him!
I WAS glad when they said to me, Let us go to the house of the Lord!
THE LOCAL CHURCH
The local church is God’s idea for the believer. In fact, it’s God desire that believers gather. Meanwhile, just so we don’t assume that everyone understands the concept of “the local church”, let’s do a little explanation: The adjective ‘local’ in ‘the local church” doesn’t denote ‘rural, remote or outside the reach of civilization’ as some may think. Rather, it has to do with something related to or situated in a particular area that provides a service, especially the area near home.
Therefore, literally, the local church will imply a church in your locality where you worship. However, there is more to the concept than meets the eye:
The local church is the congregation of men who have believed…the congregation of the body of Christ…an assembly of those found in Christ. Jolayemi Adeniji
It’s a fellowship of believers. It doesn’t have to be in an ultramodern building neither does it have to be a congregation of thousands. Wherever, two or three are gathered in the name of the Lord, that’s church – even if it’s under a mango tree. Such a platform becomes your local church when that’s where you consistently fellowship with other believers.
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MUST BELIEVERS GATHER?
Tell me: Must every child make use of his speech organs? If you find this question too silly to deserve an answer, you can as well treat the topical question in the same manner.
Right from the point of Christ’ ascension, the disciples (believers) made a culture of gathering. Interestingly, every time they gathered, there was always a spectacular incident to point at. For instance, in Acts 2, the bible tells us that believers were gathered with one accord. In that gathering, they witnessed the outpouring of the Holy Ghost. Fast forward to Acts 4, after the brethren had prayed with one accord, the place they assembled together was shaken. In Acts 11, Paul and Barnabas assembled together with the Church at Antioch. In one of those meetings, they were ordained as apostles by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost.
It’s the practise of believers to gather. There is never a place in the bible where it’s recorded that a fellow believes but chooses to stay aloof of other believers. Such notion of seclusion is a scam from the pit of hell. Among other things, the early believers continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship. Also, because he understood the importance of spiritual fellowship/gatherings, the Apostle Paul clearly instructs us not to forsake the assembling of believers. Except a man chooses to be wilfully disobedient, he can’t stay indifferent to God’s plan for the body of Christ – the local church.
ONE BODY!
For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 1Cor 12:12
In 1Cor 12, Paul uses the human body as an illustration of believers in relations to Christ. Just as every part of the body works as a unit, so it is for believers. Every believer is a member of the body of Christ. As the hand cannot detach itself from the joints and still remain functional, so also can a believer detach himself from the rest of the body (of Christ) and stay useful in isolation. A man who isolates himself from fellow believers detaches himself from the body of Christ. He is delusional to think that he is in union with Christ.
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HOW DO YOU SHOOT YOURSELF IN THE LEG?
God has set the ministry gifts in the (local) church (1Cor12:28) to the end that believers grow spiritually (Eph4:12-14). When the freelancer stays away, he denies himself of spiritual growth. When believers gather, they put the things of the Spirit in demonstration and edify one another (1Cor14).
How exactly is the freelance believing bro going to have this experience when he is on his own? The church, and not some online platform, is where the flocks (believers) are fed and trained spiritually (Acts 20:28). It’s only a matter of time before the freelance guy ‘starves himself to death’. When believers come together, it’s with the aim of getting better. I’ll like to know how the freelancer aims to do so when he stays away.
VIRTUAL CHRISTIANITY?
Thank God for the social media! However, it can’t take the place of actual/physical gathering. No matter how appealing/convenient a thing is, it can never be a substitute for God’s plan and desire.
No one gets ‘too spiritual’ for the local church – the assembling on saints. One who makes a habit of staying away is arrogant and unruly. The minute you form the opinion that you can do without the local church and fellowshipping with other believers, the devil already has you exactly where he wants you!
Do you happen to be a freelance Christian? Repent, find a local church, stay committed and grow there!
Written by Ayansola Ibukun Ademola.
Ayansola Ibukun Ademola is a graduate of English. Among other things, he is a freelance writer, editor and proofreader. You may reach him via ayansolaibukun18@gmail.com