November 12, 2015 MEMBERS ONE OF ANOTHER
Romans 12:4-5: “For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.”
1 Corinthians 12:12-13: “For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.”
We tend to think and live independently, and as a result, we may find it difficult to think in terms of being connected to others, or being one with others. God made each of us unique and gifted us with certain gifts and different manifestations of the Spirit “for the common good.” (Romans 12:7). God has designed it in such a way that together we more accurately reflect Him than we do acting as single individuals. It helps us to realize that God has gifted each of us differently and that we need what others have to offer. Jesus talked a lot about the unity that He and the Father enjoyed and He taught that we can now experience unity with Him as well as with other members of His body-the church. What the Holy Spirit does in each of us is for the common good-it is to be shared. We each have some measure of the expression of the Spirit, but we also need the expression of the Spirit that others contribute to the body. As good and valuable as friendships are, when we begin to see the dynamics of the body and how God designed it to function, we discover that our relating to the body carries us beyond relating only to our close friends-the body is much bigger than friendship. In Romans 12:11 we read: “But one and the same Spirit works all things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.” Acknowledging our need for each other does not rob us of our individuality; it actually helps us discover who we are and how and where we fit in-bringing purpose to life. The point being, God has gifted us and designed us in a certain way and we are to be about discovering what our part is in the building up of the body of Christ. Because of this, and in light of this truth, we are not excused from body life-we don’t have permission to “check out” and not fulfill out part. God made this point clear as we see in Hebrews 10:24-25: “and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near.” To be honest, we must acknowledge that some churches, perhaps many, do not function in such a way that is conducive to body life that is in keeping with the scriptures. Nonetheless, we need to find ways and opportunities to be a part of body life where together we experience the gifting’s of various members; where each is aware of their need for the other members; and where unity with each other and with the Lord are enjoyed. For certain, we will not always agree with the opinions and actions of other members of the body; however any differences we have do not have to cause any division. In the body of Christ, there is room for diversity and uniqueness. Also, there is room in the body for those who may be new in the faith-a place to grow. In the body we are one; age, race, employment, education, income, etc. does not matter. God designed the church, and Jesus died for the church-His bride, and God is working out His purposes through the church. There is nothing higher or greater for us to achieve than fulfilling our place in the body of Christ. A lot of the things we do are temporal; but what is done in and through the body, the church, has eternal consequences. Whether you have a good experience in the church, or a not-so-good experience, the church remains the primary institution that God has ordained to demonstrate and carry out His purposes on the earth, and in the spiritual realms as well. May we be awakened; may we be reminded of what Jesus said in Matthew 16:18: “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it.”
Ephesians 4:15-16: “but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by that which every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.”
Blessings,
Buddy
Romans 12:4-5: “For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.”
1 Corinthians 12:12-13: “For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.”
We tend to think and live independently, and as a result, we may find it difficult to think in terms of being connected to others, or being one with others. God made each of us unique and gifted us with certain gifts and different manifestations of the Spirit “for the common good.” (Romans 12:7). God has designed it in such a way that together we more accurately reflect Him than we do acting as single individuals. It helps us to realize that God has gifted each of us differently and that we need what others have to offer. Jesus talked a lot about the unity that He and the Father enjoyed and He taught that we can now experience unity with Him as well as with other members of His body-the church. What the Holy Spirit does in each of us is for the common good-it is to be shared. We each have some measure of the expression of the Spirit, but we also need the expression of the Spirit that others contribute to the body. As good and valuable as friendships are, when we begin to see the dynamics of the body and how God designed it to function, we discover that our relating to the body carries us beyond relating only to our close friends-the body is much bigger than friendship. In Romans 12:11 we read: “But one and the same Spirit works all things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.” Acknowledging our need for each other does not rob us of our individuality; it actually helps us discover who we are and how and where we fit in-bringing purpose to life. The point being, God has gifted us and designed us in a certain way and we are to be about discovering what our part is in the building up of the body of Christ. Because of this, and in light of this truth, we are not excused from body life-we don’t have permission to “check out” and not fulfill out part. God made this point clear as we see in Hebrews 10:24-25: “and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near.” To be honest, we must acknowledge that some churches, perhaps many, do not function in such a way that is conducive to body life that is in keeping with the scriptures. Nonetheless, we need to find ways and opportunities to be a part of body life where together we experience the gifting’s of various members; where each is aware of their need for the other members; and where unity with each other and with the Lord are enjoyed. For certain, we will not always agree with the opinions and actions of other members of the body; however any differences we have do not have to cause any division. In the body of Christ, there is room for diversity and uniqueness. Also, there is room in the body for those who may be new in the faith-a place to grow. In the body we are one; age, race, employment, education, income, etc. does not matter. God designed the church, and Jesus died for the church-His bride, and God is working out His purposes through the church. There is nothing higher or greater for us to achieve than fulfilling our place in the body of Christ. A lot of the things we do are temporal; but what is done in and through the body, the church, has eternal consequences. Whether you have a good experience in the church, or a not-so-good experience, the church remains the primary institution that God has ordained to demonstrate and carry out His purposes on the earth, and in the spiritual realms as well. May we be awakened; may we be reminded of what Jesus said in Matthew 16:18: “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it.”
Ephesians 4:15-16: “but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by that which every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.”
Blessings,
Buddy
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