“A highway shall be there, and a road, and it shall be called the highway of holiness. The unclean shall not pass over it, but it shall be for others. Whoever walks the road, although a fool, shall not go astray.” Isaiah 35:8

Many people are suffering from a deep isolation, even in a crowd. And too often that crowd is a Sunday worship service. What are the fundamental human needs all believers share that can only be met by others? A human touch, a warm embrace, a friendship, a meaningful conversation, someone with time to listen (not your therapist), the experiences of a seasoned saint, and real-life examples of love, perseverance, and faith. These
are the transactions that most strengthen our humanity and give us hope to continue the journey.

Over the years I’ve realized that folks don’t really recall too many of my sermons, but they sure remember a call, a card, a shared laugh, or a conversation that came at the right time. These things, more than preaching, the choir, or self-help clinics, brighten one’s way with a light from heaven.

Our brief critique of Christian institutions is aimed at helping God’s people discover that serving Him is more immediate and personal than the usual American church model represents. Jesus told the masses, ‘the kingdom of heaven is close at hand.’ And that’s precisely where it functions best!

The value of organization is obvious; we can see it with Jesus, the Apostles, and the believers in the Book of Acts. Today, well intentioned, godly people organize religious systems for the purpose of evangelizing, missions, education, helping the disadvantaged, etc. Many of these organizations do great work, and we’ve been the glad recipients of their labors.

A typical local church, for example, is the creation of a person or persons, based on their perception of the kingdom of God and His church. It is, in many cases, a sincere attempt to help folks experience God through worship and hearing the Word. Those efforts must be appreciated. (1 Cor. 3:9-13)

Our objection is to those institutions which implicitly claim; “This is the way God does things,” and expect people to (1) view them as ‘the church,’ and (2) accept them as God’s authorized representative to the saints and the world. As such, they decide for the saints what their ‘Christianity’ should look like, and how they may participate in it. In so doing, these organizations are assuming a position they’ve not been granted scripturally.

When we speak of ‘the church’ Biblically, we’re talking about people, redeemed people, not buildings, organizations, or denominations. The gospel knows nothing of those things. The concept of the church as a facility or an organization is a human innovation, with good intentions perhaps, but one which must continually justify its existence by its demonstrated fidelity to the priorities of Jesus Christ.

Religious institutions are often simply a bit of organization set in concrete. Fact is, God works in such a variety of ways that almost nothing except His character and His Word can be considered permanent. Living things grow, mature, change, and pass on, making room for the new. Institutions can be perpetual precisely because there is no life in them.

Jude taught that “. . . the faith was once for all delivered to the saints,” not to some religious governing body (Jude 3). ‘The faith’ is the heritage of every believer, the gift of grace that puts each of us in a vital relationship to, and with, the Living God. No one has the authority to dictate to a Christian how he or she is to relate to and serve Jesus Christ. That is the prerogative of the Holy Spirit, Who, Jesus told us, would teach us about the things of God, and lead us into all truth. (John 14-16) Plus, the Word of God “is a light to our pathway.”

The prescription for life from both the Old and New Testament is “Love God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength,” and “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus promised if one does those things he’ll be fulfilling everything that the law and the prophets gave us about pleasing God.

“Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32) “. . .We are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken.” (Heb. 12:28) Believers are blessed to be immersed in a kingdom environment, which is the loving administration of the Holy Spirit, but God did not give us, or require of us, church institutions; men did that.

So, is ‘church,’ the organized version, a requirement for serving Jesus Christ? No; many saints love and serve God enthusiastically without any regular involvement in a church. However, the Bible urges us to “not forsake the assembling of yourselves together.” (Heb. 10:25) This simply means one should not isolate himself from other believers, supposing he can ‘go it alone.’ That’s also a mistake we must not make.

There is a valuable place for ‘community’ in every Christian’s experience. (More on that later) Can a congregation of saints be, for many of us, a meaningful, blessed part of our spiritual journey? Certainly! But there’s a responsibility that accompanies our interaction with it.

Spirit filled people must discern what the environment is about in a church. Is it about the things of Jesus Christ and the movements of His Spirit, or is it about the organization; its schedule, programs, activities, facilities, budget, community profile, or some current spiritual fad? God is fortunate to observe ten minutes of kingdom activity in many a Sunday morning service. Mostly it’s a well scripted presentation.

As I view it, the real foundations of ‘Christianity’ look a lot like home. Spirit filled men and women, sensitive to God’s presence, nurture that environment in their home, in their children, and in their interaction with everyone else. The Holy Spirit is the medium in which they move, the peace of God is the compass by which they are led, and the armor of God the fortification by which they maintain their faith and footing in “this present evil age.” And all along the way, “The Spirit help(ing) our weaknesses.” (Rom 8:26)

“His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature.” (2 Peter 1:3, 4)

Remember, You are the Plan! The Holy Spirit will clarify Jesus in your eye so you can expectantly follow and serve Him. Your desires, dreams, and motivations will be continually shaped and refined by His holy presence in you.

We’re ready now to begin looking for “The Highway,” that intriguing prophetic vision of Isaiah which, in its realization, enables us to safely and confidently make our journey. (Isaiah 35:8) It always makes a big difference when we’re on the right road!