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'Christ in You...'

    by Dale Krebbs

Alone
Date Posted: October 4, 2020

What is your immediate reaction or feeling when you read or hear this five-letter word? For most, depending upon one's empirical life experiences, this can range from an uneasy neutral to a reaction of fear and dread. Some of the real and imagined perils of being alone were dramatized in the movie "Home Alone" which was a box office hit a few years ago. In support of the theme, Solomon did say that it is a frightening thing to be alone (Ecclesiastes 4:8-10). Forcing someone into total isolation has been used as a form of punishment or torture and has caused some to go insane.

There are 108 references for the word translated "alone" in the KJV of the Bible, beginning in Genesis where God said that it was not good for man to be alone, to the book of James where he said that faith without works is dead being alone. It is clear from Genesis to James, that being alone in general is not a good thing. Most of humanity has a natural dread and fear of ever being alone, although there are some who claim that they prefer to be "alone", whether they mean never, sometimes, or always. There is a story of one man, when asked why he live in the middle nowhere all alone, he replied "because I never found anyone whose company I liked as much as mine"...

However, there is a "time for everything under the sun". And, there can be a time, a place - and a reason - for being "ALONE"...

There have been times in mankind's history when God deemed that too much togetherness is too much. After the great flood, and mankind multiplied on the earth, they gathered into family groups, then larger and larger groups, until cities began to be built, ostensibly for protection from wild animals - and of course "wild" humans. Finally, there came a time when God saw that it was time for His direct intervention (Genesis 11:1-9). Although complete aloneness would defeat God's purposes, decentralization would promote them. There is an ever increasing crescendo of voices clamoring for a "one world" view..

There is also in our world a cultural compulsion that is gathering momentum to pressure society together more and more into a single thought mentality, and into a constant state of busyness in a frantic effort to avoid being alone. In todays world, mankind cannot bear being alone for fear of seeing itself, and being compelled to face the inevitable consequences. Hence we have the unspoken amoral doctrine of "no consequences". This is partly due to the "political correctness" at many levels. So in effect there is another type of "insanity" - a reverse insanity generated by an unrelenting interpersonal involvement in human busyness. There is a particular danger in all of this for true Christians that can result in no time for God. Notice:

"With eyes wide open to the mercies of God, I beg you, my brothers, as an act of intelligent worship, to give Him your bodies, as a living sacrifice, consecrated to Him and acceptable by Him. Don't let the world around you squeeze you into its own mold, but let God remold your minds from within..." - Romans 12:2 (Phillips Translation).

I know that some of you reading these words are alone. There is a difference between "living alone" and being alone. As has often been said, it is eminently possible to be (feel) completely alone in a crowd. The discussion continues as to which is worse. Some live alone because it seems they must. Others do so by choice, or as the result of other constraints. However, there should always be other people in our lives in a right, and righteous, configuration of some type. However, sometimes living a life of relative aloneness is a divine appointment from God. Perhaps you are single, for whatever reason. If you have given your life to Jesus Christ, use your position of living alone to serve Him in a way that He chooses. If you will ask Him, He will show you THE REAL REASON YOU ARE ALONE, and the right TIME AND WAY to serve Him.

Perhaps you are someone handicapped in some way, and have no relatives, or living in an isolated situation and unable to attend a Christian congregation, or there is no congregation available. Unfortunately, certain segments of Christianity seem to be unwelcome in some congregations. Upon attempting to find a congregation for a friend, I was tactfully informed that their church really did not want those of the my friend's age attending, and that perhaps just a tape recording of sermons would be best. I am still trying to recovery from the shock!

The point is that there ARE circumstances in which people live alone - either by choice or necessity. There are many, many reasons why someone is alone. Being alone does not automatically make everyone lonely - anymore than being around others automatically makes everyone not lonely. And above all, realize that BEING ALONE IS NOT A SIN...! It is possible that the fact that you are alone could be SOMEONE ELSES SIN, if they are aware of your aloneness and do not seek you out or attempt to minister to your need. It is becoming more and more difficult to connect with true Christians under any circumstances.

The more bound together this world becomes, the more it grows apart...

Ultimately, we will all be alone. That may sound strange and unconventional, but in a sense it is true. We are all a world unto ourselves, admitted or not. When we fall asleep at night we are alone, unless God is in us. When we die, the truth is we die alone. Yes, there may be others at our side, but we do the dying. When we stand before Jesus Christ in the judgment, we will stand alone before Him. Thankfully, He is our Advocate as well as our Judge!.

So there is a kind of paradox here, because we who are believers in Jesus Christ, are NEVER really alone! He is with us and in us, and we are in Him. (2 Timothy 4:14-18). Are you alone"? Is that your choice? Are you bound by circumstances? Begin by taking all your aloneness whether it is a choice or a necessity - take it all to God. Get personal with Him. Don't worry about saying it a certain way - He already knows you anyway. Make your requests. Trust Him. Love Him. Tell it ALL to Him! God never chides us for being honest. Then WAIT - wait and in your waiting begin serving God WHERE YOU ARE. Ask Him to show you what HE WOULD HAVE YOU DO. Stay in His word. for without His Word, there can be no hope for a safe journey through the waves of uncertainty that we all must cross. Stay close to Him in obedience and submission. Let His timing be your timing in all things...leave all options open, until He opens the door, and makes a clear path for you.

As God leads you, let someone know about your desires and needs. He know every breath you take and every step you make. Alone or in a crowd, He will always be at you side. At times this can seem to be most difficult, but again - seek God's counsel direct. Ask Him. Talk to Him. Perhaps all you CAN do is be a silent "prayer warrior". I have several warriors defending me against Satan before God's throne day and night. I feel like a Pastor I once knew who, during a discussion with an Arab individual, was asked "Don't you fight for your God?", to which my friend replied, "No - my God fights for ME!"

One of my prayer warriors recently remarked regarding prayer, "Thats all I can do..pray!"! - to which I replied, "That is EVERYTHING!!..".

Could you be an "Everything" for someone?...

If you can, that someone "won't have to cross Jordan ALONE"-- (Old Hymn)

"'Christ in You...'" from Dale Krebbs

Perilous Times

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Biography Information:
Dale Krebbs served as an Elder, preaching, counseling, and conducting Bible studies for over 25 years in Texas, California, and Arizona. He is now retired, lives in Arizona, and continues the study and research of Gods Word.
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