“Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
Galatians 6:1 – 2 (NIV)
Dear Friends,
“God should be enough for you.” These words were from someone who was cutting off our friendship a decade ago. Years later, Joshua Fellowship helped me recognize that I was very emotionally dependent in that friendship. I needed to repent and forgive. I needed to receive God’s healing. I needed to grow in loving and desiring God above anyone else. But, was what this former friend texted me actually true?
One of the speakers at this year’s HOPE Conference through Restored Hope Network (RHN) spoke about overcoming addiction to sexualized media. Two “pillars” of overcoming stood out to me: “Relate with God,” and “Engage Others.” Interestingly, the speaker said he believes the second principle is actually more important that the first. Yes, our personal relationship with God is irreplaceable, and we must love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. However, the speaker pointed out that our relationship with God is not enough to overcome addiction; we need community and connection. That seems to contradict what I was told a decade ago! What does Scripture have to say about all of this?
The verses above from Galatians are generally well-known to church-goers, but they are radical in our individualistic culture. Paul is telling Christians that if someone is caught in a sin, the answer is not to withdraw from them and tell them to just read the Bible and pray more. Rather, the answer is to speak the truth with great compassion and gentleness, and then actually help the person walk in freedom. When people are caught in sin, God actually isn’t enough for them. They desperately need men and women who can radically love them and help them experience God’s presence in community. They need people who can practice healthy interdependence as the community of believers connect with God—individually, in friendships, and in community. My own healing has come through how God has met me both in solitude and in meaningful connection with brothers- and sisters-in-Christ.
Whether you have experienced sexual addiction, unwanted same-sex attraction, identity confusion, or you engage in more “respectable” sins, God is calling you to be sanctified in Christian community. Working on your sin by yourself—“Just me, God, and my Bible”—cannot produce Gospel transformation. You need help carrying your burdens so you can walk in true freedom through the Holy Spirit. And guess what? There are people around you who need you to help carry their burdens. If you are already being known in community and
partnering with God to carry others’ burdens, praise God! Are there ways to help your church continue to grow into a community where anyone—regardless of his/her struggles or past—can be loved, known, and pointed toward pursuing Jesus?
This is why Outpost exists. We help individuals encounter God and grow in pursuing Jesus. We foster safe community for people to practice healthy interdependence and to bear one another’s burdens. Our new community nights are a way to bring participants from all our Outpost groups together. The power of community is also why we at Outpost seek to equip churches to create restorative communities. True Gospel transformation happens when believers can be fully known and can be received compassionately without compromise. Your prayers and financial partnership help the ministry be a part of God’s work to bring about Gospel transformation and restorative communities. Thank you for the many ways you join with us to see God fulfill His promises. May we continue to fix our eyes on Jesus, the One who sacrificed everything to unite us to Himself and to one another. To Him be glory for ever and ever! Amen.
