Ephesians 4:11-16:
“Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love as each part does its work.”
Going It Alone
There is an American tradition, spurred on by various heroes, the Lone Ranger, Superman, Batman, with other names popping into our minds when that list is mentioned. The tradition I am speaking about is going it alone. The John Wayne Approach. Tall, Strong, Going it Alone, Brave American that can stand up to anything and any one because he is on the side of right.
When I read the above scripture, I wonder why the Apostle Paul wrote it. I imagine the Lord impressed Paul with a message that would speak against our “Strong Silent Type” and our “Reckless Individualism.” Not that being a strong, silent, risk taking individual is wrong. There is much good that comes from people who walk with those characteristics. When we are discussing the Church of Jesus Christ, however, we must recognize that the opposite is true of this body of believers. Christ is the Head. Christ gives His Spirit to believers who surrender to His Name and Work. Christ provides apostles, prophets, evangelists, and teachers to give us the Truth. There is no ‘doing your own thing’ involved here. We are joined together much as a body is. Each part is to do its work.
Having MS is a perfect description of parts of a body going it alone. Some parts don’t participate at all. Some act out and do too much. How difficult it is to do simple tasks when part of you is being rebellious!
So it is with the Body of Christ. He is the Head. My head has lesions and is atrophying, His is perfectly functioning. His wisdom brings balance to the Body. My body forgot how to balance. My body trips and falls, and Christ picks me up time and time again. I am so grateful the Body of Christ is designed to work as a unit and designed to bring forth the Kingdom of God out for others to witness and believe in and when we work together, it is seamless!
Later in the above scripture, much is spoken about believing lies, being an infant, and being tossed and thrown off course by not knowing the Truth. Little ones fall a lot when they are learning to walk. If you teach a child to go on red and stop on green, they will be tossed about unnecessarily! Correct teaching from a truth-telling parent and community is essential. God gives people wonderful babies to guide and lead into adulthood, with tools and instruction that will help them be successful. How tragic it is to read in the news about violence and crime. So often it is pointed out that the perpetrators have not had loving, firm direction in their lives. Warped teaching brings out the worst in people.
Because I have difficulty with balance and walking, I use assistive devices such as crutches, canes, walkers, and wheel chairs to stay upright and safe. God has provides His assistance by giving us His Spirit to guide us, and His Word to instruct us. In addition, He has given us each other to help and guide.
We are being called to responsibility. We are responsible to make sure no one stumbles because of our actions, attitudes, or words. We are to speak the Truth in Love. We are instructed to help those who wander off in the faith. We cannot do this alone. We need each other. You have a gift that I need to be able to walk securely in Christ. I can provide prayer and encouragement to you when times are difficult. God Is, God Cares, God Provides. He wants us to lean on Him and each other to present a unified message of His love and care for all people.
Today, when you are able to walk from your kitchen to your bedroom without dropping things, without falling, and with an attitude of being the best you can be, be reminded of how the Body of Christ works together. Even if you fall and drop everything, be reminded that His Kingdom still brings all things together for the good of those who Love Him and are called according to His purpose.
“Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love as each part does its work.”
Going It Alone
There is an American tradition, spurred on by various heroes, the Lone Ranger, Superman, Batman, with other names popping into our minds when that list is mentioned. The tradition I am speaking about is going it alone. The John Wayne Approach. Tall, Strong, Going it Alone, Brave American that can stand up to anything and any one because he is on the side of right.
When I read the above scripture, I wonder why the Apostle Paul wrote it. I imagine the Lord impressed Paul with a message that would speak against our “Strong Silent Type” and our “Reckless Individualism.” Not that being a strong, silent, risk taking individual is wrong. There is much good that comes from people who walk with those characteristics. When we are discussing the Church of Jesus Christ, however, we must recognize that the opposite is true of this body of believers. Christ is the Head. Christ gives His Spirit to believers who surrender to His Name and Work. Christ provides apostles, prophets, evangelists, and teachers to give us the Truth. There is no ‘doing your own thing’ involved here. We are joined together much as a body is. Each part is to do its work.
Having MS is a perfect description of parts of a body going it alone. Some parts don’t participate at all. Some act out and do too much. How difficult it is to do simple tasks when part of you is being rebellious!
So it is with the Body of Christ. He is the Head. My head has lesions and is atrophying, His is perfectly functioning. His wisdom brings balance to the Body. My body forgot how to balance. My body trips and falls, and Christ picks me up time and time again. I am so grateful the Body of Christ is designed to work as a unit and designed to bring forth the Kingdom of God out for others to witness and believe in and when we work together, it is seamless!
Later in the above scripture, much is spoken about believing lies, being an infant, and being tossed and thrown off course by not knowing the Truth. Little ones fall a lot when they are learning to walk. If you teach a child to go on red and stop on green, they will be tossed about unnecessarily! Correct teaching from a truth-telling parent and community is essential. God gives people wonderful babies to guide and lead into adulthood, with tools and instruction that will help them be successful. How tragic it is to read in the news about violence and crime. So often it is pointed out that the perpetrators have not had loving, firm direction in their lives. Warped teaching brings out the worst in people.
Because I have difficulty with balance and walking, I use assistive devices such as crutches, canes, walkers, and wheel chairs to stay upright and safe. God has provides His assistance by giving us His Spirit to guide us, and His Word to instruct us. In addition, He has given us each other to help and guide.
We are being called to responsibility. We are responsible to make sure no one stumbles because of our actions, attitudes, or words. We are to speak the Truth in Love. We are instructed to help those who wander off in the faith. We cannot do this alone. We need each other. You have a gift that I need to be able to walk securely in Christ. I can provide prayer and encouragement to you when times are difficult. God Is, God Cares, God Provides. He wants us to lean on Him and each other to present a unified message of His love and care for all people.
Today, when you are able to walk from your kitchen to your bedroom without dropping things, without falling, and with an attitude of being the best you can be, be reminded of how the Body of Christ works together. Even if you fall and drop everything, be reminded that His Kingdom still brings all things together for the good of those who Love Him and are called according to His purpose.