Dare 2 Share - One of the ‘hats’ I wear here at Dare 2 Share is that of a counselor. I receive e-mails every week from students who are demonized and downtrodden, sinful and sorrowful. It probably seems pretty lonely to these servants of God, and that is why they reach out for an answer.
Today I want you to know that if you are one of those folks who is being pummeled by the prince of darkness these days, you are definitely not alone. Satan would love to suck the breath of hope out of your spiritual lungs by creating an illusion of isolation, but (as always) he is the ‘father of lies’ (John 8:44).
How do I know? The Bible tells me so!
The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up only one body. So it is with the body of Christ. Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into Christ's body by one Spirit, and we have all received the same Spirit. This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other equally. If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad. Now all of you together are Christ's body, and each one of you is a separate and necessary part of it. (I Corinthians 12:12-13, 25-27)
The first reason we are not alone is because of what I call the ‘Christian Connection’. When you trusted Christ, you were instantly adopted into the family and made a part of the body. Your finger may feel like it’s not a part of you, but that doesn’t make it fall off and run away! In the same way, your feelings don’t cancel your membership in the fellowship of believers…in fact, nothing can! Think about the other Christians you know for a minute. It is no accident that God put you into a relationship with them, so if you are struggling alone- don’t blame anyone but you! Since we belong to each other, we are commanded to “confess our sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results.” (James 5:16)
The second reason we are not alone is because of what I call the ‘6th Sense Saints’. Check this out:
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us.” (Hebrews 12:1)
It’s not that we see dead people, it’s that they see us! The saints of the past have a satellite hook-up to our everyday world, cheering us on to victory in the life of faith..talk about reality T.V!
So next time you feel discouraged, listen to the crowds- they are chanting your name...
The third reason we are not alone is because of what I call the ‘Permanent Paraclete’. What in the world (or other world) am I talking about?
"If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world at large cannot receive him, because it isn't looking for him and doesn't recognize him. But you do, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.” (John 14:15-18)
The word ‘paraclete’ is Greek for comforter or helper. Jesus is referring to the Holy Spirit, and how He lives inside each and every believer, bringing help and hope to even the worst of circumstances. The greatest thing is that He will never leave us, no matter what we are struggling with!
So if you are feeling a bit alone and abandoned, remember your:
~Christian Connection
~6th Sense Saints
~Permanent Paraclete
You’ll be amazed at how fast the schemes of the devil turn into dust!
Questions:
1) When was the last time you felt alone and abandoned?
2) How do these truths of Scripture help you?
3) Which of the three reasons has spoken to you the most? Why?
