Archive for the ‘Body of Christ’ Category

HE GIVES LIFE

Thursday, October 28th, 2010

Day 236

“It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life”
John 6:63

Sadly, not all who follow Jesus will stand the test of being true believers. Jesus Himself said there are some (of the followers) who do not believe. Many followed Him because of signs and wonders. Today are many who are pseudo-believers. They have never given themselves to Christ and the true gospel.

Christianity is radical. Jesus said, “. . . the Kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force” [Matthew 11:12], and Acts 14:22 states, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.” Does this sound strange to our ears? A careful reading of the gospel clearly reveals only those who break away from human tradition and ways, no matter what the cost to them, will possess the kingdom of God. Timothy 3:12 declares, “And indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”

True life comes from the Spirit. Our flesh will profit nothing. Yet, how easily we slip back following our understanding, so carefully planning our earthly security, making plans, taking care for tomorrow. In the past hour 17 Christians were martyred, part of the 156,000 martyred this past year. More than in 100 AD. Christ has given us life—everything we need, but only to serve the Kingdom of God, not ourselves.

“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Hebrews 12:1-2

Tags:
Posted in Body of Christ, Life | Comments Off

THE FATHERHOOD OF GOD

Sunday, October 17th, 2010

Day 225

“What he sees the Father do; for whatever He does,
the Son also does in like manner”
John 5:19-23

Jesus shows us the patterns of God’s character as a Father. During His 33 years, He continued revealing His Father as an example for us to follow. His own life of obedience to the Father also shows us how to be pleasing to the Father and glorify Him.

The Father demonstrates love for the Son, unity in the Trinity, and shows Him all things. These ‘things’ become of the work of Jesus, His love, healings, miracles, mentoring disciples, appointing apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. It is the Divine plan for reconciling man to God. The Father demonstrates what it means to make an investment in others and through Jesus teaches us to do the same.

We then see He will show Him greater works than those He was presently doing. Like here, He desires to show us how to excel in all that we do. He delegates (vs 22) responsibility to the Son. Likewise, as we prove trustworthy with small things in our lives, Jesus said we will be trusted with greater things.

The Father sees that the Son is honored (vs 23). There is great honor in the Godhead and the body of Christ is to reflect that. We are to love the brethren, laying down our lives for each other. In fact, we are to honor one another above ourselves. In this, we love God and the Father is glorified. His Fatherhood is replicated through His son and every member of His body. This is the glory of the Lord.

“O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay,
You are the potter; we are all the work of Your hand”
Isaiah 64:8

Tags: ,
Posted in Body of Christ, Co-Workers, Fatherhood, God's Plan | Comments Off

ULTIMATE REALIZATION

Monday, June 28th, 2010

Day 117

“His glory shall be seen upon you”
Isaiah 60:2

There is a great realization to be seen. It is before our very eyes. God’s great workmanship is His masterpiece. The Father will have a family. And His Son has brought them into the heavenlies. Think about it; The Son has a body, His church; the Holy Spirit has a temple, His people.

Right this very minute the Father is working His purposes in us and bringing the corporate body into realization. The Holy Spirit is bringing the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, to growth and building itself up in love, as each part does its work [Ephesians 4:16]. We are the temple. This is the glorious masterpiece coming together.

Some think there needs to be unity in the Church and they understand this to be joining together and eliminating walls that divide us. They are wrong. The church was born in heaven and brought to earth for all those called out to belong to Him. If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another – and that is unity! Only those that do not see are divided. God is saving us, a people, not a system, structure or organization. WE are His glory and His glory will be seen on us.

“But we all, with open face beholding as in a
glass, the glory of the Lord, are changed
into the same image from glory to glory,
even as by the Spirit of the Lord”
2 Corinthians 3:18

Tags: ,
Posted in Body of Christ, God's glory | Comments Off

THE BODY OF CHRIST

Saturday, June 26th, 2010

Day 115

“There is one body”
Ephesians 4:4

When you were born, you were born in a family. When you were born again, you were born in a new family. Many see salvation as an individual act, but it really isn’t. Although there is an individual response to God’s calling, your birth made you a part of a family known as the corporate body of Christ. It is God’s house, known as the church. It is here that you work out of your salvation [Philippians 2:12].

The word ‘together’ is closely bound with your salvation. Paul says in Ephesians He has “quickened us together in Christ”, and “hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus [2:5-6]. Our togetherness is corporate and corporately we were included in the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. In other words, He has taken this glorified humanity with Him back to heaven – “we are members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones” [5:30]. We are now corporately seated with Him in the heavenlies!

As we live out our temporal life here on earth, God has given us a new kingdom to live in. It is here we are “gathered together in one” [1:10] and we are “fitly framed together” [2:21]. This is God’s marvelous plan for us. We find His love, His strength, His forgiveness, His peace, His provision, and His blessing in the body of Christ.

“Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual
house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual
sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ”
1 Peter 2:5

Tags: ,
Posted in Body of Christ, God's glory, God's Plan, Salvation | Comments Off