MAGAZINE LETTER FOR SEPTEMBER
1989
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Dear Friends,
We are the body of Christ. So declares the great apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 12:27. I have been impressed afresh with the implications of this truth, for myself and as it effects our fellowship.
I have been Impressed with this truth because of what it is saying about our individual actions. We tend to think that our lives are our own, and as long as we don’t directly harm anyone, our actions only effect ourselves. This is not true and certainly not for the Christian. Paul in 1 Corinthians 12:26 tells us that if one part or member of the body suffers, every part suffers with it. This does not only mean that the church feels the sufferings of its members; but also the whole church is effected by the life and actions of its members.
The body is a unit. (1 Corinthians 12:12). The spiritual state of one member is not a private matter. The sins of one member do not just effect them. The whole body of Christ is effected. When the spiritual life of one member is less than it ought to be, the efficiency and spiritual effectiveness of the church is also involved.
When, in our natural body, we have a headache, the efficiency of the whole body Is reduced. When a Christian sins, unless there is daily and constant repentance and washing in the blood of Jesus, then this effects the whole body.
Paul says in 1 Corinthians 12:2 1 - ‘The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I don’t need you!". The contribution of every member is absolutely necessary. If a member opts out of something of the life of the body, because they are upset or don’t quite like something, then the effectiveness and witness of the body is impaired. It is like the hand saying to the physical body - I will cease to work for the body.
The body of Christ needs the contributions and presence of all its members, otherwise the church is deformed and its witness weakened. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 12:17 ‘if the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be,’ etc. The body of Christ is made up of all its members, and each has a role and contribution which is essential. Part of that role is to stay with the body and not cut ourselves off from it by staying away from the means of grace and activities of the church. Just as the various parts of the physical body together uphold the quality of life, even though some seem to be, at any one time, contributing nothing: so the Body of Christ. Even our presence Is essential though we may not seem to be doing or contributing anything for the body, yet in fact we are,.
We need to be humble. Again 1 Corinthians 12:2 ff emphasises this. Our contribution is vital, but so is the contribution of everyone else. Our point of view must not be pressed so others are neglected or put down. We must not think we know all the answers, or that our opinion is the best. The body lives and grows by the contributions of the whole. No Christian is useless or without a contribution to make. Our role might not be a spectacular one. It may seem insignificant. But this is not so. The Body needs that contribution. The Church must cultivate the atmosphere that all feel able to contribute even the most shy. Some who are most able to express and press their Ideas must be ready to be quiet and forgo their desires, so that the weak and shy may be able to express their needs and contributions as well.
The body is a unit. We were baptised by one Spirit into one body. We were all given the one Spirit to drink. 1 Corinthians 12:12. The unity of the congregation of Christ’s people is fundamental. If we press something that brings disunity and discord, it is not the Spirit, or at least the way we are pressing it is not of the Spirit. When disunity rears its ugly head, we all need to humbly question our actions to see if some of the cause may be with us. No effort must be spared to keep the unity of the Spirit. Ephesians 4:3.
Let us write Paul’s instructions on our hearts. Those he gave In Ephesians 4:2 - Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Let us work daily at practising them. If we do, the body of Christ at our church will shine with the light of Jesus and be strong and effective in his service.
Your servant for Christ’s sake,