The Loneliness of a Christian

[Christ4Life]

The loneliness of the Christian results from his walk with God in an ungodly world, a walk that must often take him away from the fellowship of good Christians as well as from that of the unregenerate world. His God-given instincts cry out for companionship with others of his kind, others who can understand his longings, his aspirations, his absorption in the love of Christ; and because within his circle of friends there are so few who share his inner experiences he is forced to walk alone.

The unsatisfied longings of the prophets for human understanding caused them to cry out in their complaint, and even our Lord Himself suffered in the same way./p> The man [or woman] who has passed on into the divine Presence in actual inner experience will not find many who understand him. He finds few who care to talk about that which is the supreme object of his interest, so he is often silent and preoccupied in the midst of noisy religious shoptalk. For this he earns the reputation of being dull and over-serious, so he is avoided and the gulf between him and society widens. He searches for friends upon whose garments he can detect the smell of myrrh and aloes and cassia out of the ivory palaces, and finding few or none he, like Mary of old, keeps these things in his heart.

It is this very loneliness that throws him back upon God. His inability to find human companionship drives him to seek in God what he can find nowhere else.

By A.W. Tozer

 

[sassylady]

You don't belong in the world and I've had the experience of other Christians saying I'm suffering because I'm doing something wrong, etc. I have certainly learned to lean more on God because I don't have anybody else to rely on.

 

[Defrost514]

Love removes suffering, through love comes empathy understanding and respect.

 

[blue_ladybug]

You don't gotta be a christian to be lonely.. :/

 

[Christ4Life]

This article really spoke to me and I posted it because I thought it would resonate to others also.

 

[Joidevivre]

I love Tozer, but really can't identify with this writing of his.

I thought that was the reason for the "body of Christ" - that we would be a community of believers who walk together, pray in one accord and with one Spirit. That we would be the presence of Christ to each other.

Maybe I'm just in a good part of the world, but I have found this to be so true. My brothers and sisters in Christ are precious to me, and what is even more amazing is that the Lord brings just the right one to me at just the right time.

I have no reason to be lonely. But I would also agree with Tozer in that if they were not here, I would find perfect companionship with the Lord Himself.

 

[Wormwood]

You don't gotta be a christian to be lonely.. :/

I hear that.

 

[Oreobarbie]

I understand what you're saying. We all have our own experiences. We all have a different walk with God. No two people are the same. But that's a good thing because we can share perceptions and past experiences with people to help them. I think my lonliness comes from the world, because i'm 19 and I don't know alot of people my age who are Christians. Which is my fault because I don't look for them and i'm very introverted. And I don't really wanna make alot of long-term friendships with people who aren't christians because I don't think it's a wise decison. It will bring me trouble. But I should reach out to them because I am witness for God. I usually stick to myself and God because I try to be strict in my walk with God because I know it's easy to lose your way and so I don't associate with many people at all. I want my focus on God without any distractions. I do get lonely but I like the solitude as well.

 

[Defrost514]

I understand what you're saying. We all have our own experiences. We all have a different walk with God. No two people are the same. But that's a good thing because we can share perceptions and past experiences with people to help them. I think my lonliness comes from the world, because i'm 19 and I don't know alot of people my age who are Christians. Which is my fault because I don't look for them and i'm very introverted. And I don't really wanna make alot of long-term friendships with people who aren't christians because I don't think it's a wise decison. It will bring me trouble. But I should reach out to them because I am witness for God. I usually stick to myself and God because I try to be strict in my walk with God because I know it's easy to lose your way and so I don't associate with many people at all. I want my focus on God without any distractions. I do get lonely but I like the solitude as well.

Good idea since those who are not Christian are going to spend eternity in hell, how could you sit and break bread with them knowing that they are blasphemers and apostates?

 

[sammybots29]

Here is a good teaching on lonliness of a Christian, it gave me some inspiration to overcome the loneliness - Overcoming Loneliness -- CBN Teaching Sheets: Spiritual Life in God

 

[blue_ladybug]

Good idea since those who are not Christian are going to spend eternity in hell, how could you sit and break bread with them knowing that they are blasphemers and apostates?

​Jesus sat and broke bread with blasphemers and apostates. He also associated with people such as crooked taxpayers, robbers and whores.

 

[Reborn]

True.
Love reading A.W. Tozer- just read the book you're quoting from the other night.
One of the best.

 

[Reborn]

I love Tozer, but really can't identify with this writing of his.

It's from the book "The Dwelling Place of God". / Chapter: A Saint Must Walk Alone.

link:
A. W. Tozer:Man - The Dwelling Place of God.

I think he sort of lays it out nicely on why he thinks a Christians walk can be lonely?
Maybe check it out again...it's well written!
God Bless.

 

[Tintin]

Good idea since those who are not Christian are going to spend eternity in hell, how could you sit and break bread with them knowing that they are blasphemers and apostates?

I'm more worried that you don't have any non-Christian friends.

 

[peacebestill]

The loneliness of the Christian results from his walk with God in an ungodly world, a walk that must often take him away from the fellowship of good Christians as well as from that of the unregenerate world. His God-given instincts cry out for companionship with others of his kind, others who can understand his longings, his aspirations, his absorption in the love of Christ; and because within his circle of friends there are so few who share his inner experiences he is forced to walk alone.

The unsatisfied longings of the prophets for human understanding caused them to cry out in their complaint, and even our Lord Himself suffered in the same way./p> The man [or woman] who has passed on into the divine Presence in actual inner experience will not find many who understand him. He finds few who care to talk about that which is the supreme object of his interest, so he is often silent and preoccupied in the midst of noisy religious shoptalk. For this he earns the reputation of being dull and over-serious, so he is avoided and the gulf between him and society widens. He searches for friends upon whose garments he can detect the smell of myrrh and aloes and cassia out of the ivory palaces, and finding few or none he, like Mary of old, keeps these things in his heart.

It is this very loneliness that throws him back upon God. His inability to find human companionship drives him to seek in God what he can find nowhere else.

By A.W. Tozer

I agree. Once we get close to Jesus (Well, I'm speaking from my experience) and HE calls us into his purpose, He sets us aside from others so we may hear him. This is what happened to me. I started to detach from the world, because my eyes were open.

 

[Joidevivre]

Tozer: "The loneliness of the Christian results from his walk with God in an ungodly world, a walk that must often take him away from the fellowship of good Christians as well as from that of the unregenerate world. His God-given instincts cry out for companionship with others of his kind, others who can understand his longings, his aspirations, his absorption in the love of Christ; and because within his circle of friends there are so few who share his inner experiences he is forced to walk alone."

This is the part that I could not relate to since the Lord has not had me walk into an ungodly world away from the fellowship of other good Christians. But I agree with what Tozer said about those who do.

I have had the wonderful opportunity to be called to counsel/spiritual mentor Christian women, and even though they have personal issues to address, they have a heart for God. I have always had the fellowship of the body of Christ. In fact, they have been His personal presence to me most of the time.

Yet there are still those moments of detachments from everyone to hear His voice fresh each morning. I treasure being alone with just Him.

Joi

 

[Reborn]

This is the part that I could not relate to since the Lord has not had me walk into an ungodly world away from the fellowship of other good Christians. But I agree with what Tozer said about those who do.

You are indeed lucky then.
I just think Tozer was trying to say that so many will
disagree with your walk and thoughts, -making it feel lonely overall?
BWell,
Mikey

 

[Joidevivre]

Reborn, If that is you in your avatar, you do indeed look lonely standing there by yourself. Continue to be that light in the world!

 

[Reborn]

Reborn, If that is you in your avatar, you do indeed look lonely standing there by yourself. Continue to be that light in the world!

It was this thread that reminded me that we are indeed called to stand out from the masses (with our thoughts), so I chose this avatar. (I hesitated though, because the little guy was yellow, and it made me sad because I'm Asian/ with the Asian stereotypes and all..hmm ) BWell.

 

[p_rehbein]

You don't gotta be a christian to be lonely.. :/

I'd say: If you ARE lonely, you probably AREN'T a Christian...........why would a Christian be lonely?