16th December 2012
Beloved,
FOCUS: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love (Ephesians 4:16).
While we receive Jesus Christ into our lives as individuals, we succeed by functional as part of one body. This is why we were warned not to neglect the assembling of brethren. The Holy Spirit through Paul put it this way: For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you (1 Corinthians 12:12, 20-21).
If the Bible is true, then every Christian needs the other Christian. You might have been born again for many years or just today, all of us need one another. When we stay aloof from what happens in the church or spend our time only talking on the errors of others, and gossip and slander one another, we do ourselves a great harm. Have you ever bitten your tongue? Who feels the pain? The whole body feels the pain! The whole body feels any joy or hurt. This is how the Church of God functions. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all (Ephesians 4:4-6).
In 2 Chronicles 5:13-14, when the people gathered to “make one sound” the glory was so thick that the priest could not minister due to the presence of God. Oh how I pray for similar attitude so that we can have similar experiences in our time! The same experiences was narrated in Acts 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. First note that they were not just in one place, they were in one place with one accord. They had a unity of the Spirit, and heaven was opened. Secondly notice that the Bible did not say they were praying but the Holy Spirit was poured down all the same. Get this clear, just like you do not need to pray when you open the tap water for water to flow, once you dwell together in one accord, heaven pours out the anointing and the blessings (Psalms 133). Paul was stoned and left as dead. The brethren just stood together, and he rose up (Acts 14:19-20). There was no prayer! I am condemning prayers? Not at all but Jesus said that the world shall believe that He is the son of God when we function as one (John 17:21).
An important component of staying as one is knowing what your role is and diligently accomplishing it. You and I are important, as the eyes cannot tell the nose, I have no need of you (1 Corinthians 12:15-17). The whole body can only function maximally when both the eyes and the nose are functioning well. When you function in the church of God whenever it is convenient for you, you do yourself, the church and the kingdom of God a lot of harm. True!
It is only when the whole body fitly joined together, and compacted by the supply of every part, according to the effectual working of very part, that the body makes progress (Ephesians 4:16). This is what is called a healthy church. Not only does this grow the church, it also grows you as an individual in the church.
Thus we need to refuse divisions. Don’t make your brother’s errors a talking point. Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:1-2). Don’t come to church only when you have a need and wants prayers. Don’t hide your skills and gifts. Those skills and gifts are given to profit everybody (1 Corinthians 12:7). The church is not just my life, I also believe that it is a duty to play my part so that others can be blessed. It is part of the covenant seed I endeavor to sow.
In closing let’s look at this scripture again: John 17:21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.Could it be that why not many people are believing us is because of the disunity in our churches? People in same church are working hard to destroy one another, and the different churches want to prove that they are the only one doing the right thing by their criticisms. Brethren this is not who we are.
We need to learn from this: And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all(Acts 4:32-33).
Friend, great power and great grace come from being of one heart and one soul.
Shalom
Brother Dr.Godwin Enwere
Elder at Temple of Praise Geneva
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