Why Do You Remain Alone?

Why Do You Remain Alone?

“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.” John 12:24.

Our life is a grain of wheat. If we do not lay it down we will remain alone.

“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.” Col. 3:12-13.

A person could believe that once you have come to the church, everything will be well. There everyone is so loving and good; there shouldn’t be any need to bear the others and be forbearing with them. If you believe that, then you will be deeply disappointed. The church does not consist of only perfect people, but of people who are to be saved. There are two things that we all have in common: 1) a flesh in which dwells nothing good, and 2) a mind that hates it. This flesh manifests itself in so many ways. If we do not put on tender mercies, humility, etc., then we are not able to bear with one another. This is where the grain of wheat is meant to die. I will remain alone if someone has treated me unjustly and I do not bear with him. One could believe that he who committed the injustice would remain alone; but that is not certain. Perhaps he did not want to do it, but he did not have the victory; perhaps he could not bridle his tongue—it ran away with him. Jas. 3:2. The effect of his action was different than his intentions, etc. He humbles himself, judges himself, and thrives and grows in the church. I, on the other hand, who did not do anything wrong but who do not want to bear with him and forgive him, will remain alone. The intention is that I should now have a share in the brother, that I should go under him and serve him. Christ gave His life for him. The brothers bear with him. They are one with Christ and lay down their lives for him; but I separate myself both from Christ and from the brothers; I do not lay my life down. This is how I remain alone.

We read that Christ suffered for the joy that was set before Him. Heb. 12:12. His delight was in the sons of men. His desire was to make them one with Him—but He had to give His life first. So He patiently endured the cross for the joy of having fellowship with us. Therefore He did not remain alone, but was allotted a portion with the many. Isa. 53:11-12. We receive a share in those for whom we lay down our life. He gave His life for us while we were still enemies. If there is someone who does you an injustice, says something bad about you, and is disagreeable and contrary—do you wish that he were not there? Or do you have the mind of Christ—namely, that it is your greatest joy to have fellowship with him? If that is the case, you will suffer patiently and lay down your life for him. Then you will not remain alone, but you will receive a share in him and be with Christ and the brothers who have also laid down their lives for him. The ones for whom you have given your life will become your hope, your joy, your praise and crown of rejoicing. 1 Thess. 2:19-20. If you do not lay down your life, you will be without hope, without praise, without a crown of rejoicing—you will only be a grain of wheat that lies there alone, sulking, offended, discouraged, and dissatisfied.

This is love: not that we have loved God, but that He loved us first. 1 John 4:10. It is divine to love first.