We used to be neighbors!

ROMANS

28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. 29 For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

Our world has become a large, impersonal, busy place. We are alienated from each other. Although crowded, we are lonely. Pushed together but un-involved. No longer do most neighbors visit across the backyard fence. The well-done front lawn is the barrier that keeps weirdos at bay. Hoarding our stuff, and flaunting our toys have replaced sharing and caring. It's like we are occupying common space but have no common interests, it's as if we're on an elevator with rules such as: "No talking, smiling, or eye contact allowed without written consent of the management." 

Painful though it may be for us to admit, we're losing touch with one another. The motivation to help, to encourage, to serve our fellow human beings is a thing of the past. People have even observed crimes in progress but refused to help so they don't have to be involved! Our foundational values are getting lost in these confusing days. And yet, it is these things that form the essentials of a happy and fulfilling life.  

Remember that grand declaration of biblical assurance written in truth of Romans 8? I'm referring to verses 28–29, which read: 

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren. 

Maybe you've never before stopped to consider that God is committed to one major objective in the lives of all His people: to conform us to "the image of His Son."