Some people have given up the habit of meeting for worship, but we must not do that. We should keep on encouraging each other, especially since you know that the day of the Lord's coming is getting closer.

Hebrews 10:25 (CEV)

God gives us community so that we can receive and give love to one another through His Spirit.

Unfortunately, some of us think we can worship God without coming together with other believers. The image of a Christian without community is contrary to sound scriptural teaching. Even though we may have justifications or even reasons for why we avoid going to church and the company of other Christians, the risk of being a lone Christian can result in a spiritual life that is lonely, isolated and unfulfilled.

No church community is perfect, despite the fact that we often think it should be. When we uphold such an unrealistic expectation, it is easy to become judgemental and self-righteous. If left unchecked, we will always be looking for something to be offended by or to object to.

In the absence of sound doctrine, godly guidance, and friendships, we will end up choosing what we want to believe and ultimately form our own distorted perspective of the Christian life. There is no sense of accountability or even reality because obeying the gospel is no longer relevant, and we are free to hold whatever beliefs we choose.

Consider what the author of the epistle to the Hebrews has to say about community and accountability.

See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. Hebrews 3:12 (NIV)

We can jeopardise our spiritual growth and maturity through the impact of prolonged isolation from other believers. This makes it easy for our hearts to turn cold and callous towards God and our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Returning to the gospel, we will find that God did not intend for the Christian life to be lived as a solo act but rather as a symphony. It is crucial to learn how to do life together. There are about a hundred verses in the New Testament that use the Greek word "allelon," which means "one another, mutually, reciprocally." If we pursue and receive this revelation, we will comprehend our calling to serve one another as ministers of reconciliation in order to bring about the unity and oneness Christ desires for His church.