“If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.” (1 John 4:20,21)
We are born into a family. We have no choice who our parents, our siblings, our aunts, uncles, or cousins are. They may be be wonderful, horrible, or somewhere in-between. No family is perfect. There will be challenges. Through our family interactions we will be given ample opportunity to learn patience and love and mercy. Character is formed in the crucible of family life. Likewise, when we are born into the family of God.
The body of Christ is many membered. Some members of the body are wonderfully sweet; others are a challenge to say the least. Can we decide that we will just love God, but stay away from His family because they offend or annoy us? No. God calls us to learn how to love with His love especially through contact with those who are unlovely in our eyes.
Attending an electronic church is not much of a challenge to us. Being around a real flesh and blood family with all their quirks and imperfections is what God uses to help us grow. Being willing to engage with imperfect people in relationship causes us to face our own imperfections.
A family of one is not much of a family. You cannot be God’s “only child.”