Isolation is Unwise

"A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; he rages against all wise judgment."

Proverbs 18:1

Because of sin, a man is naturally separated from the holy and righteous God who created him.  Adam rebelled from God and chose to go his own way, the way of disobedience and death.  Even as sin has passed to all men and death through sin, God has provided the opportunity for eternal life for all through Jesus Christ.  Ephesians 2:13-18 explains, "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. ¹⁴ For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, ¹⁵ having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, ¹⁶ and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. ¹⁷ And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. ¹⁸ For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father."

A man who isolates himself from God is not wise.  Even as gravity pulls all objects towards earth, the law of sin and death ultimately drowns every man in perdition.  Man is not able to navigate to eternal rest or overcome the hefty weight of sin through his best efforts.  Our hearts are deceitful guides, corrupted by sin.  Jeremiah 17:9 says, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?"  This whole world is under the sway of the enemy of our souls, Satan, the one who perverts the straight way of the LORD.  Even as nothing is completely pure on this earth, nothing originating in this world is plumb or level.  The philosophies and wisdom of the age are all skewed by the kaleidoscope of relativity, selfishness, and pride.  An isolated man has an inbred view of things which gives rise to mutated morality and foolish judgments.

Thank God He has given us a perfect standard in His Word and has caused the Light of the World, Jesus Christ, to shine in the darkness!  It is the plumb line, the spirit-level, with true weights and measures.  Psalm 119:105 says, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."  Jesus is the "Word who became flesh" who has dwelt among us.  We have beheld His glory, the only begotten of the Father.  He died on the cross, rose from the dead, ascended to the Father before many witnesses, and holds the keys to Death and Hell.  He has prayed the Father to send the Holy Spirit to indwell and empower all who repent, believe in Him, and are born again by grace through faith in Christ.  The wall of sin which blocked our way to heaven has been broken down, and we have access by the Spirit through Christ to the Father.  Christ is for us wisdom (1 Cor. 1:30), and He is our righteous Judge.  When we love Him as He has loved us, we can receive and share from His stores of divine wisdom.

It is not only the unbeliever who can be isolated.  Many Christians - including people who serve in church ministry - can become increasingly isolated because of hurts, struggles, or perceived betrayal.  Because of pain they have experienced through negative experiences, some grow determined to prevent such a thing from ever happening again.  Perhaps someone betrayed their trust, expectations were unmet, and a root of bitterness begins to grow.  Insulation brings isolation and separation.  The desire is never to be hurt again, and so a man isolates himself.  It is a vicious deception:  in becoming isolated from fellowship and accountability, a man becomes spiritually dull and blunted.  God made us for fellowship.  Proverbs 27:17 reads, "As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend."  A sheep isolated from the flock is a helpless target for all manner of temptation and snares.  Fellowship with the Good Shepherd and the flock of God is critical for a healthy, growing relationship to maturity in faith.

You have a problem with church?  Your problem is with Christ, for He is the Head of it.  Should you look for faults in your fellow men, they are easily found.  Hypocrites are best at pointing out their own kind.  But God's basis for adopting us as His children is because of what Christ has done and our faith in Him - despite all our faults.  He has washed us clean, having purchased us with His own blood.  Can you imagine how foolish it would be to adopt a child only if he could be proved completely perfect?  Yet this is the standard we hold professing believers to and forget the grace and love God has freely lavished on us.  Let us be ones who are casting our cares upon the LORD, for He cares for us.  Let us trust Him enough to fellowship with other people who have serious flaws - just like you and me!  Don't embrace solitary confinement when God has made you free to fulfill His desires, not your own.