Last
spring I wrote two blogs about the Body of Christ. They are titled, Healing in the Body of Christ, and Unity in the Body of Christ. I encourage
you to read these two blogs, since, I believe they are for every believer,
especially during this difficult time. Recently, the Lord spoke to me also,
about “belonging” in the Body of Christ, and that’s what this blog is about.
I
sense from talking to people, that there is a deep loneliness, and a weariness
at this stage of the Covid-19 pandemic. People are needing the warmth,
friendship, and support found in their social groups; and in their spiritual
lives, the close fellowship of others who are like-minded. There is an intense
sense of disfranchisement, or of being socially displaced, and the sense that
the security of sameness, are being pulled up by the roots. This has left
people rattled, shaken, frustrated, sad, and depressed. It is also something,
that I believe, is deeply felt amongst all people groups and faiths, especially
those who have no beliefs at all; and it is a world-wide phenomenon.
There
is also a restlessness, as people are now re-inventing a future far different
than the one they had planned for. Where we live, people are selling their
homes and cottages, and new people are buying them as fast as the For Sale sign
goes up! There is a migration going on, as people quit their jobs to find new
ones, retire early, and consider new paths of adventure, since travel is now
severally restricted. In the wake of these many changes, Bible-believing
committed Christian believers, who are not yet allowed to go back to their
churches, may feel an acute sense of loneliness, and lack of purpose. For
Christians especially, it is vital that we congregate, because we are each an
integral part of the Body of Christ. And it is through the Body of Christ, that
vital change will come upon this world through the spirit of God. All of our sincere, concerted efforts and
agreements in prayer, and obedience to the Lord, is crucial for things to
change according to God’s will at this critical time in history.
So
let’s look at the importance of doing our part to belong, and making an effort
to participate in the Body of Christ. Recently, I felt the Lord speak to me
about the Body, and the absolute importance of each member doing their part. I
had the sense that there were too many people trying to do too much. For
example, an eye is also taking on the part of the ears and the mouth. This
means that someone else’s ministry is not being utilized. There is too much
control going on in the Body, and not enough submitting to the Lord, and one
another, humbly and respectfully, giving honour to the weaker parts of the
body. Some people want the attention and control, and so several important
parts of the Body are being neglected. Perhaps others feel that the one doing
all the work doesn’t really want any help or interference, and so, inevitably,
they will soon burn out. Yet, leaving out parts of the Body will leave the Body
disabled, won’t it? If your foot was in need of care to the point you couldn’t
walk, you wouldn’t neglect it, would you? Of course not. How would you be able
to get anywhere? Well, if the foot in the Body of Christ is neglected, the Body
isn’t going to move very well because it will now be disabled. I Corinthians
12:18-27 goes into detail about this.
1Co
12:18 But
as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose.
1Co
12:19 If
all were a single member, where would the body be?
1Co
12:20 As
it is, there are many parts, yet one body.
1Co
12:21 The
eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the
feet, “I have no need of you.”
1Co
12:22 On
the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable,
1Co
12:23 and
on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater
honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty,
1Co
12:24 which
our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body,
giving greater honor to the part that lacked it,
1Co
12:25 that
there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same
care for one another.
1Co
12:26 If
one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice
together.
1Co
12:27 Now
you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. ESV
But
even more than the necessity of each part for functionality, I believe that God
made a family, and a Body of believers for people who often feel left out and
alone. He wants every single person in HIS FAMILY to feel they belong, and are
a part of a family. For single people and couples with no kids, for example, He
wants them to find a home in His Body, especially the local church. Fellowship
is where you feel included and loved, and an integral part of that Body. He
made us to need one another and the church. Families you are born into aren’t
all He intended. Far from it. And families aren’t necessarily biological, or
the ones you were born into. Families are groups of people who love each other.
In my growing up years, there were six of us, including my parents. I don’t
remember any Sunday dinners that didn’t include extra people. Many times, these
were people that wouldn’t get asked out by anyone else. Often, they were
single, or visiting from out of town.
As a
Christian, once you are born again, according to the Biblical way, you are
considered adopted into the family of God.
Romans
8:15 For
ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received
the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
Throughout
the New Testament, there are references to how we are to treat one another, not
as outsiders, but warmly, as all born-again, and adopted children of God!
1
John 3:11 For
this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one
another.
Romans
12:10 Be
kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one
another;
If
we have a disagreement or argument with a brother or sister in the Lord, we are
to make it right, that is, if we want to maintain a right standing in our
relationship with God!
1Jn
3:14 We
know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He
that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
1Jn
3:15 Whosoever
hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal
life abiding in him.
1Jn
3:16 Hereby
perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and
we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
1Jn
3:17 But
whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up
his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
1Jn
3:18 My
little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in
truth.
In
other words, don’t say you have the love of God if you don’t love your brother,
and be willing to show it in practical ways!
The
following is an excellent explanation of why it is so crucial to recognize the
importance of belonging and participating as part of the Body of Christ.
Unity
in the Body of Christ
Eph
4:1 I
therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the
vocation wherewith ye are called,
Eph
4:2 With
all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
Eph
4:3 Endeavouring
to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Eph
4:4 There
is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your
calling;
Eph
4:5 One
Lord, one faith, one baptism,
Eph
4:6 One
God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you
all.
Eph
4:7 But
unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of
Christ.
Eph
4:8 Wherefore
he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts
unto men.
Eph
4:9 (Now
that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower
parts of the earth?
Eph
4:10 He
that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he
might fill all things.)
Eph
4:11 And
he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some,
pastors and teachers;
Eph
4:12 For
the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of
the body of Christ:
Eph
4:13 Till
we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God,
unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
Notice
in the above passage that peace is not possible without unity (verse 3). And in
verse 11, there is a list of gifts that Jesus gives to different members. These
are each necessary for the perfecting of the saints, as it says in the next
verse. We need one another, as it goes on to say, for the work of the ministry,
and for the edifying of the body of Christ
I
believe the final goal of the Body working together in unity says it all — to
come together in the unity of the faith, and the knowledge of Jesus, and these
things will create a perfect man (one unified spirit, or Body), a grown up,
mature Body, supporting one another, encouraging one another, and fulfilling
the God-given desire to belong to a family who needs us and loves us.
