I Have No Need of You....

I Have No Need of You.... 

I Corinthians 12: 18, 20-22, 25, 28

But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. ....But now there are many members, but one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you"; or again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary...so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. ...And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues.

Many Christians today saying "I have no need of you?" 

Are you saying to other Christians, "I have no need of you?"

It's all the rage to be an independent, solo Christian. It's cool and edgy to go rogue--finding no one quite trustworthy enough to come together with. It's just Jesus and me and the Holy Spirit... and the Bible... and a few commentaries.... and a Bible dictionary... But really its just me and Jesus with nothing in-between. 


Yet did the Bible really promote unchaperoned, solo Christianity? The text above is enough to prove it doesn't. But here's a couple more:

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst ofthem. Matt. 18: 20 

... not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting [one another]; and so much the more, as ye see the day drawing nigh. Hebrews 10: 25

Are you saying to Christian leaders, "I have no need of you?" 

Again, I Corinthians 12 says "...And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers." 

Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit [to them]: for they watch in behalf of your souls, as they that shall give account; that they may do this with joy, and not with grief: for this [were] unprofitable for you. Hebrews 13: 17

Are you saying to other denominations, "I have no need of you?"

Let's face it, we tend towards being prejudice of other denominations. But unity is a strong New Testament theme. It is actually an essential. 

Basic Christianity 101 is Jesus teaching, "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."

John 13: 35 

But what about the crazies--the zealots and charismatics and theologically incorrect Christians? (We often don't even want to call them Christians if they aren't like us.)

But now hath God set the members each one of them in the body, even as it pleased him...But now they are many members, but one body....  Nay, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be more feeble are necessary: and those [parts] of the body, which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honor; and our uncomely [parts] have more abundant comeliness... that there should be no schism in the body; but [that] the members should have the same care one for another. I Cor. 12:18

Are you saying to organized religion, "I have no need of you?"

I don't want to be redundant, so "see above."