Bodybuilding for One Another
Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds.
Ephesians 4:15–17 ESV Read More
There is a unity that comes from being a Christian, even with people you have never met. Just like people that share a passion for the Green Bay Packers, Florida Gators, Tervis Tumblers, and those Disney people, when like-minded people get together, they are really together. It works a little bit different as you follow Christ, though.
The Holy Spirit is a spiritual being that is able to communicate with God and all of His people all at the same time. This leads to unexplainable things like suddenly thinking about an intern that came to work last summer from out of town, then finding out later that day that the kid is missing and the police are searching for them. (It all turned out good by the end of the day) God brings people to mind throughout the day so that you can participate, via prayer, in their spiritual growth (or their physical rescue!).
As we work together as the Body of Christ, we build up each other in love. That brings maturity like we talked about yesterday, and it is an attractive lifestyle that brings in people that don’t yet believe. Worldwide, some of the best diplomats and peacemakers are Christians teaching forgiveness and abstaining from vengeance. The care we show to one another in times of need makes hospital staff say “Is that your family?” and gives you a chance to joyfully say, “No, they are people from church.”
We have a chance to be held together as we seek Christ together, or to seek our own ways and be divided. If people divide over everything that they want for themselves, they will eventually be left with just those things they were wanting, and not any of the full life in the diversity of the Body of Christ. When Christ becomes more important than us being a Democrat or Republican, bigger than our past as a user or an adulterer, Christ shines in our friendships and takes over our lives. That takeover of love builds us into a people greater than any club or affiliation can make us. It draws us into a ‘lay down your life [preferences or otherwise] for your friends’ way of life led by the Spirit and renewed daily in joy and hope.
The futility of thinking you are all alone and independent isn’t the fullness of life that Christ celebrates for you. Be united to Christ and share life with His people and you’ll see how big life can grow.
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