The Doctorine of Individualism
Hi everyone! I’m out of the office this week, so I asked Ryan Romeo to write on my behalf. –David
“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” –Romans 12:9-13
This weekend Jeff Gokee spoke powerfully on the dangers of individualism. If you missed it, be sure to go back and watch it.
In his message, Jeff reminded us that the doctrine of individualism leaves us empty. It places self-obsession on the throne and not Jesus. It is a doctrine that is pushed in nearly every sphere of society.
“It’s all about you,” we often hear, or “you do you!” We live in a hyper-individualistic culture that is obsessed with personal comfort. We see ads of all the things we need to buy. On social media we follow people who look beautiful, rich and seem happy all the time. We surround ourselves with world views that make us comfortable, and in the inverse, can unfollow people who make us uncomfortable, perpetuating our own bubbles based solely on ourselves.
But is all of this obsession with self making us happy?
A recent Gallup poll shows that the mental health of Americans is at an all-time low. Whether rich or poor, left or right, every segment of society is feeling more depressed in 2021. Well, not everyone. The only place where mental health showed a miraculous four-point improvement, is from people who attend weekly church services.
Why? Because deep down, we know life is not all about us. We were designed for community. We were designed to commune with God and live life with other people. This season has reminded us of how important being with people is, and how painful it can be to be alone.
We need community to remind us that it isn’t all about us. We need community to remind us of the power of the Gospel and keep us from going off the rails theologically. We need church community to be reminded that life is all about Jesus. Living for Jesus. Being like Jesus.
And what did Jesus do? He served people. He taught people. He died for people. Literally.
Romans 12 is a beautiful reminder of what it looks like to be a part of a Jesus-centered community. Jesus does absolutely love each of us individually; but we grow spiritually by serving one another in the House of God. Preferring one another over ourselves. Practicing hospitality with one another.
In the end, John 17:23 reminds us that this is the kind of selfless, Jesus-like love that will speak to the world around us. We can show a self-centered world a selfless and loving community that reflects the love and power of the God we serve. Jesus, let it be so with us!
See you this Sunday.
Ryan