Over the years I have watched as believers began to become more independent, detached from body life and pastoral leadership. I have watched some of those people continue to withdraw from fellowship in the local church, and develop a life that is less relational in the church and more oriented toward work, outside groups, special friends and activities. It is not because of necessity, but because the individual prefers to be disconnected from those who are deeper, more mature, more consistent and more committed. It is not unusual that some failure in the person's own personal life prompted a move away from the more spiritual atmosphere of a Biblical community. It is true that family requires commitments not required in the life of a lone wolf. However, such a withdrawal usually turns out badly.
I am not saying that Christians should not seek to reach the lost or the less enlightened, through friendship and interaction. However, the influence of body life is vital to personal growth, and spiritual development, and is essential for reaching and building up our own families, as well as ministering to those we want to reach outside of the local body.
Body life is not simply GROUP ACTIVITIES, even if they are spiritually oriented. Body life is when the BODY, the LOCAL BODY, into which God placed us, interacts in fellowship, service, worship, burden bearing, encouragement, mission. Body Life is the life of the local family of God.
Hebrews 10:24-25
(24) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
(25) Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
