September 3, 2021 WE’RE IN IT TOGETHER
1 Corinthians 12:18, 25b-27 “But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as He chose.” “that there should be no division in the body, but that the members have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.”
Romans 12:4-5 “For just as we have many parts in one body and all the body’s parts do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually parts of one another.”
We tend to live primarily with an individualistic mindset or view of life; we buy into the idea that “If it is to be, it’s up to me.” True; we are individuals and we have certain responsibilities and there are certain things we must do as individuals; however, having an individualistic mindset robs us of the blessings that come as a result of being connected to, and being a functioning part of the body of Christ. If fact, God created us and designed us in such a way that we need others; we find fulfillment when we are a participating, functioning part of the body of Christ. (The body of Christ is referred to as the church, and is made up of those who trust Christ as Savior.) Contrary to popular opinion, we are incomplete in and of ourselves; we are a ‘part,’ not the whole. This point is made clear in 1 Corinthians 12 where Paul uses the analogy of the physical body to make his point; the ear, or eye, or any other member of our body cannot say that it has no need of the other. Being a functioning part of the body of Christ means that we can enjoy fellowship; we can find encouragement; we can learn from each other; we find comfort; we benefit from the spiritual gifting of others; we grow spiritually..and so much more. We need the input of others in areas where I am weak, or perhaps have a blind-spot, and for that reason, we need others around us that we are engaged with in a trust relationship where we have honest and meaningful conversation. In the body of Christ, when one lacks, others supply. Sad to say, but the truth is that there are many ‘churches’ that do promote body-life; many perceive church as a place you go to for one hour on Sunday morning. The body of Christ, the church, is not a building; it’s believers meeting together to share the life of God, and that meeting together not only takes place in a meeting on Sunday morning, but may take place anywhere, anytime. So, we are a part of something much bigger than ourselves; we are a part of the church, which is made up of the ‘called out ones;’ and the purpose that God has for His church will be fulfilled. The church is to be a shining light to the world, demonstrating the love of God and the ways of God to all. The church is not a social club or a political organization; it is a body ordained by God and cared for by God, and we are a member of it.
Ephesians 2:19-22 “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and or of God’s household, having been built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together is growing into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.”
Blessings,
Buddy
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