Paul’s description of Christ’s body in Romans 12:4-5 reminds
me a lot of Mr. Potato Head, where we are given so many parts and pieces to
assemble the characteristics of Mr. Potato Head. We have lips, eyes, ears, and nose, all are
put on the potato to for a face and body as we would imagine Mr. Potato Head to
look like.
The Ecclesia is not that much different, (though we are
not a potato) God has chosen each member or part of the body with a specific
purpose in mind, when joined with the other body parts forms a more complete
picture of Jesus Christ. Much like a physical
body that functions in the completeness of its form and function, so the spiritual
body utilizes all of the individual parts to function as one.
This is the expression of the corporate body of Christ which
is essential that we become more Christlike in our actions and our demeanor
with each other and the world, in general, to demonstrate who Christ is. We were not saved to become mavericks with a
solitary faith in Jesus, we are saved to become connected with others who also
share that same awareness that we are saved for something far greater, we are
saved to become the bride of Christ.
At our Home Church meeting last night there was an awareness
of this as we met, there is always the need for us to grow and develop in the
gifts of the spirit that we might share in the mind of Christ for each other. One has a tongue and an interpretation which
exalts Jesus, while another has a word of knowledge or prophecy which brings encouragement
to the body. These are essential parts
of the expression of the corporate body of Christ. These spiritual gifts are not an end in
themselves, nor are they badges of honor to show how much we have grown or developed
spiritually, they are specifically for the purpose of edifying, encouraging,
and building up the body of Christ that we may function as God intended with
singleness of focus and purpose as a corporate body.
We express a desire that we would grow in a deeper relationship
with Jesus, it goes without saying that we must participate in body life so
that would function as Jesus intended.
Each person brings their individual understanding and beliefs to the
meeting, no matter where their experience has come from either denominational or
some other traditional experience which has revealed Christ to them. It doesn’t matter, because we are gathered to
share our common love for Jesus and with each other, and to grow in that love
for Him and each other.
That is our reason for our meetings. If it were for knowledge alone
then our meetings would be shallow and missing the key element which is
Christ Jesus. We have more biblical knowledge
that we need, we really need is Jesus Christ at the heart level and to share and grow in
that awareness much for fully with each other.
Paul never tells us that we should meet to study the bible,
He tells us that we meet to know the fullness of Christ in each other. As a body, each body part has a function and
purpose, and each body part has a portion to contribute pertaining to the complete
expression of Christ as we meet. That is
what Paul means, we are functional parts of the corporate body as we meet,
without one functional member we would be incomplete. Just like if we were missing our ears, where
would the hearing be? Or missing our eyes
where would the seeing be? Each body
part is essential to the functioning of the whole body as we meet, and without
that specific part the body expression would be incomplete at best. (1 Corinthians 12:12-27)
I become excited to meet with our small group each week because
we are growing in the awareness of Christ in us the hope of glory. (Colossians
1:27) As we grow in this awareness
we become much more attuned to listening and hearing what the Holy Spirit is
saying, and focusing on the needs of our brothers and sisters in Christ that
they may be healed and restored.
It is only then that we are able to do the works of Christ because it is Him which is moving us forward, not our ambitions or desires, but Christ alone and His purposes in us.
It is only then that we are able to do the works of Christ because it is Him which is moving us forward, not our ambitions or desires, but Christ alone and His purposes in us.
Be Blessed;
Stephen
Barnett
Creativity is our call, restoration is our purpose!
(Genesis 1:26-28) & (Matthew 28:19-20)
No comments:
Post a Comment