body of Christ
Body of Christ or Clique?
There is probably no more appropriate scripture for this post than this.
Mark 9:33 And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?
34 But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest.
35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.
36 And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them,
37 Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.
38 And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us.
39 But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me.
40 For he that is not against us is on our part.
41 For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.
42 And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.
Jesus starts out by addressing the issue of “who will be the greatest.” He goes on to talk about protecting the children. Then he deals with competition in the religious marketplace.
Mark 9:39 But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me.
It does not seem that the 2 million goal has yet been reached and I find that a sad thing. Why? Read the scriptures above. The answers are probably in those scriptures.
People are praying for revival. People also know that God blesses unity. If there can’t be unity around the necessity to stop child sex trafficking, then I think the prayers for revival probably are somewhat fruitless until different denominations can get united on something.
The patriotic movement is better than the church on being unified. There is not as much jockeying for positions or concern with branding. There is a recognition that there is a common enemy … satanists, globalists and AIs and the forces behind them … that want to take over the world.
The church is more divided and perhaps that is why revival is slow in coming. Why not unite around fighting sex trafficking? Can we all agree that is hideous? Can we get to 2 million tickets?
Psalm 133:1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;
3 As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.
Out of all the Christian denominations there is not enough support for 2 million tickets on a movie that has been repressed for years and that exposes child sex trafficking? The appetite for child sex trafficking is a root cause behind a lot of the other problems you see in society today. Those who want child sex trafficking also want to destroy the family, make the state the “parents” of the children, sexualize children at an early age, bring in vile literature into schools and libraries, have drag queen hours, bring a woke military and woke political class … there is a lot connected to this that is actually affecting every member of society and yet two million people cannot support this film? I think everyone should forget asking God to help them if he raised up a film to expose this and people won’t support it. God sends help to bring salt and light to the problem but there is not enough support … why … it is not your denomination that made it so your denomination won’t get the glory?
Isaiah 53:3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
It is necessary for there to be popular support in order to open up theaters. Learn more below. Even if you don’t attend in person because you have other things going on, you can buy a ticket for someone else to attend. It sends a message to Hollywood.
The website to purchase tickets or pay it forward is listed in the video above. It is also listed here.
If you want to pay it forward, even if you don’t go yourself, but want others to go in your place, then click on the link, go to the lower left corner, there is a green pay-it-forward button.
A blog post can only introduce a topic but not cover it in depth. For more study on various topics, click here for links to various Christian ministries.
Depending on the ministry, there may be online church services, YouTube videos, podcasts, radio programs, books, teaching, or more. You have to seek out what they have.
The Body of Christ
The Apostle Paul likened the Church to a body where there are different members or parts of the body, each with its own task.
I Corinthians 12:12 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.
In the human body there are: (Source)
- about 100 trillion cells
- 200 or more types of cells
- 80 known organs
Transposing that to life, it is easy to see that the person down the street, or down the pew in your church, might have a significantly different task from the Lord than you do.
This is why comparison and imitation never work. We are best at what God creates us to be.
II Corinthians 10:12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
Sometimes a human body is injured. Other parts of the body are used in an attempt to compensate for the injury.
Sometimes people who are not best suited to do a job step in and do it because someone else can’t, or won’t.
The best scenario is when everyone functions in the gifts or talents God gives each one. It is best all around.
Even if one church is say, a “heart” church, there still will be differences between members. Think of a human heart. Some parts of the heart have valves. There are chambers. There are places that connect to veins and arteries. In other words, to say the word “heart” does not mean one organ where each cell and part of the organ are exactly the same…similar, yes…but not exactly the same. And each part is necessary for the functioning of the whole.
The Apostle Paul understood this principle and focused on running the race that God had given to him, not the race God had given to another.
Acts 20:24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
Philippians 3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
It is good to seek to understand our individual function within the body of Christ and then continue to tweak that at the Lord’s direction.
A blog post can only introduce a topic but not cover it in depth. For more study on various topics, click here for links to various Christian ministries.
Depending on the ministry, there may be online church services, YouTube videos, podcasts, radio programs, books, teaching, or more. You have to seek out what they have.
The Body of Christ
I Corinthians 12:12 (KJV) 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.
13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
14 For the body is not one member, but many.
15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?
18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
19 And if they were all one member, where were the body?
20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.
21 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.
22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:
23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.
24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked.
25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
In the human body, each part of the body operates to bring health to the rest of the body.
The heart pushes blood to circulate to bring nourishment and oxygen to the rest of the body.
The lungs operate to draw in oxygen that will be transported to the rest of the body because of the action of heart to circulate blood.
The little toe would be interested in the health of the heart, because it is only through the health of the heart that it can get the oxygen and nutrients it needs.
Paul likens the body of Christ to the human body. The body parts recognize, if that sentient verb can be used to make a point, that it can only operate as it is supposed to operate. A heart will always operate as the heart. The liver will always operate as the liver. And so forth….
The body works harmoniously. When it does not, it is called dis-ease, with the dis- prefix meaning “not”, it means not-ease. The body is not at rest when it is ill.
Among mankind, with free will, there can be an attempt to try to be some other part of the body. There can be an attempt to take the place of another part of the body.
In a healthy body, when a cell gets out of line and begins to grow abnormally, that is called cancer. It is not a good thing for the cell, or the body.
A blog post can only introduce a topic but not cover it in depth. For more study on various topics, click here for links to various Christian ministries.
Depending on the ministry, there may be online church services, YouTube videos, podcasts, radio programs, books, teaching, or more. You have to seek out what they have.
The Body of Christ
I Corinthians 12:12 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.
13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
14 For the body is not one member, but many.
15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?
18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
19 And if they were all one member, where were the body?
20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.
21 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.
22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:
23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.
24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked.
25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
In regards to the body of Christ, each church or church member will not function exactly the same.
Some may focus on missions.
Some may focus on local food banks and the homeless.
Some may focus on children’s church.
And likewise, various members within a church or within various churches might have different calls or focuses.
One of the callings of the church is the gift of “helps” and that can cover a wide variety of topics…anything from helping out in Sunday school to weeding a flower bed or sweeping a floor.
The world focuses on diversity.
Jesus focused on unity.;
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.
Unity does not mean being exactly the same. The human body is made of many different parts. The eye, for example, does not look or function like the hand or a heart. However, those different parts work in unity.
It is important to recognize and allow various members of the body of Christ within various churches to fulfill their particular calls, without trying to either imitate or criticize. If the lungs criticized the heart, for example, there would be a problem in the body functioning as a whole.
One of the tactics of the world, of the atheistic communists to gain power, is to use divide-and-conquer techniques. They try to find a division and focus on weakness and aggravate that flaw and thus weaken the opposition.
So it is necessary to remember to stay unified as one body overall, even if individual tasks are different.
When the church falls into focusing on differences it can be in danger of being manipulated by communists.
Matthew 10:16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
You need a Bible-based church that preaches the gospel of Jesus Christ.
II Corinthians 2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
A blog post can only introduce a topic but not cover it in depth. For more study on various topics, click here for links to various Christian ministries.
Depending on the ministry, there may be online church services, YouTube videos, podcasts, radio programs, books, teaching, or more. You have to seek out what they have.
The Body Has Many Members
This topic has been mentioned before.
The Apostle Paul talked about the body of Christ.
I Corinthians 12:14 For the body is not one member, but many. 15 If the foot would say, “Because I’m not the hand, I’m not part of the body,” it is not therefore not part of the body. 16 If the ear would say, “Because I’m not the eye, I’m not part of the body,” it’s not therefore not part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the smelling be? 18 But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body, just as he desired. 19 If they were all one member, where would the body be? 20 But now they are many members, but one body. 21 The eye can’t tell the hand, “I have no need for you,” or again the head to the feet, “I have no need for you.” 22 No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. 23 Those parts of the body which we think to be less honorable, on those we bestow more abundant honor; and our unpresentable parts have more abundant propriety; 24 whereas our presentable parts have no such need. But God composed the body together, giving more abundant honor to the inferior part, 25 that there should be no division in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. 26 When one member suffers, all the members suffer with it. When one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.
27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.
To bring this concept to life, here is a short video illustrating the point. And this is only with the digestive system. It is not talking about the skeletal system, muscular system, endocrine system, nervous system or other major systems of the body.
The point is, if it is important for every part to be in place, doing its specific job, we can extrapolate from that a bit of understanding on how important it is for each part of the body of Christ to be in its exact place.
For example, in one part of this video it mentions three enzymes. What if only two are present, and not the third, what then?
Considering the body of Christ in relation to the principles of this video helps bring the realization of how important it is for each part of the body of Christ to be in its exact place, not trying to imitate another part of the body, but being where it needs to be in its specific support of the body. And when that happens, the whole body is stronger and functions better.
In a sense, the natural human body has more sense and self-preservation than the body of Christ. If injury occurs to the natural human body, white blood cells and other nutrients flow to help combat the injury. The eyes may view the injury and send messages to the brain. The brain may, though messages sent through the nervous system, may instruct the hands to wash the injured area with water to wash away germs. The various parts of the body and various systems of the body work together for healing.
But in the body of Christ, due to the fallen nature of man, there arises warfare in the body. If one part of the body is fallen or injured, often other members “pile on” and make healing more difficult.
The Apostle Paul said this. The eye can’t tell the hand, “I have no need for you,” or again the head to the feet, “I have no need for you.”
Yet that seems to occur at times.
In a natural body, can a liver say it has no need of a heart? Can the digestive tract say it has no need of a mouth? Can the muscles say they have no need of the skin or bones?
The whole human body is fity joined together, interwoven into one functioning whole.
When one part of the body is healthy, it contributes to the health of the whole body.
The body of Christ similarly must not try to take down other parts of the body, but simply recognize that they are doing a different task, which, when successful, contributes to the body as a whole.
In a physical body, certain parts of the body will probably never have any interaction. For example, a toe nail will likely never interact with a spleen.
But if a toe is stubbed, the whole body feels it.
Only certain parts of the body, for example, the blood cells that carry nutrients and oxygen, only certain parts of the body interact with more than localized parts of the body. In some way, the whole body is connected, but in terms of functional interaction, some parts of the body work in a more localized way, such as the heart, or gall bladder. The blood, on the other hand, flows throughout the whole body.
No part of the body is insignificant. And when each part is doing what it should to the greatest of its capacity, the body as a whole is strong and can do mighty exploits.
A blog post can only introduce a topic but not cover it in depth. For more study on various topics, click here for links to various Christian ministries.
Depending on the ministry, there may be online church services, YouTube videos, podcasts, radio programs, books, teaching, or more. You have to seek out what they have.
God is a God of Order
Photo Credit: Brett Jordan, Unsplash
I Corinthians 14:33 for God is not a God of confusion, but of peace, as in all the assemblies of the saints.
Translators have a certain latitude when it comes to translation. In other words, “truck” could be defined as a pickup, dualie, 4-wheeler, semi, or perhaps even by manufacturer name. When translating from the Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic, translators make those judgment calls, sometimes in committees with extensive notes.
So when I Corinthians 14:33 is translated, some use the word “confusion”; some use the word “disorder”.
In reality, the two are related. Where there is disorder there is confusion.
There can be disorder in various ways: in a church, household, family or individual life.
There can be disorder in the body of Christ, where one part of the body tries to play the part of another part of the body.
There are many ways to approach the topic of disorder. There can be disorder in a sports team, where players are not working in unity. There can be disorder on a medical staff.
For purposes of this post, the topic will center around disorder|order on an everyday basis.
Much more can accomplished the more perfectly you can order your environment and day.
Another word for “ordering” a day would be walking in a certain “way” and the Bible has many verses about way(s), path(s), and pathways. Here are a few.
(KJV) Psalm 25:1 Unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.
2 O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.
3 Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause.
4 Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths.
5 Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.
6 Remember, O Lord, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old.
7 Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness’ sake, O Lord.
8 Good and upright is the Lord: therefore will he teach sinners in the way.
9 The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.
10 All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.
11 For thy name’s sake, O Lord, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great.
12 What man is he that feareth the Lord? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.
13 His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth….
This is intended to be extremely practical on a day-to-day basis. While it is recognized that this could also apply to “enemies” in other considerations, this will be about day-to-day “enemies” in disorder, for example, strugging to find what you need when you need it, or forgetting to pack something that you need for a trip, or forgetting to take your passport to the airport.
This will only be an outline, a lot more could be said, perhaps at some other time. But for now, here are a few helpful points.
First of all, recognize that organization, like nutrition, is somewhat unique to each individual. If you read various books on organization or listen to various organizational teachers, this becomes apparent. One size does not fit all. So find the system that works best for you. These are some general tips and taylor them to what works for you.
- Do it now. Whatever it is, do it now. If you think of it, do it now, or as much as you can, right now. In other words, if you remember you need to call someone Monday, and it is Saturday, at least write a note in a way that you won’t forget. If it is coming to mind, there is a reason. Deal with it now, whatever it is, now.
- If you have the same problem more than once, figure out why and deal with it. Don’t keep having the same issue day after day. Not necessary. If it is a family or group-related thing, figure out how to solve it. Get together. Find the best solution. Implement it. Yes, that takes time to get everyone together to do this, but once you find a solution, your daily/weekly time wasted dealing with that problem over and over will disappear. And if it is a group thing, there is accountability, and that really is better for everyone. Everyone becomes better as they become accountable, even if it is a voluteer organization.
- If you can’t figure it out, find someone who can. There is someone who can give you an idea that you might not be able to think of on your own, simply because you may not have the experience or background necessary. Read a book. Find someone with skills you don’t have and barter skills. If you absolutely are stuck, it is worth it to pay someone who can easily do what you find difficult to do. There is no shame is saying, this is not my skill set. There is no point in staying stuck. Someone can easily do what you find difficult to do, or can at least teach you a few skills to make your life easier.
- Give away or sell what you don’t need. You will find a simplified life is a more peaceful life. Recognize that some things are needed for a season, but perhaps you no longer are in a certain line of work, or have moved, or for any number of reasons, no longer need certain objects. When they are out of your life, you life will be simpler.
A blog post can only introduce a topic but not cover it in depth. For more study on various topics, click here for links to various Christian ministries.
Depending on the ministry, there may be online church services, YouTube videos, podcasts, radio programs, books, teaching, or more. You have to seek out what they have.
Finding Your Place Within the Body of Christ
Jesus prayed:
John 17:21 that they may all be one; even as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that you sent me.
The importance of oneness was brought out in the book of Genesis.
Genesis 11:1 (KJV) And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech.
2 And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there.
3 And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them thoroughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter.
4 And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.
5 And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded.
6 And the Lord said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.
7 Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.
8 So the Lord scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city.
9 Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the Lord did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the Lord scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.
St. Paul likens the Christian church to a body where each part of the body has a particular function.
I Corinthians 12:14 For the body is not one member, but many. 15 If the foot would say, “Because I’m not the hand, I’m not part of the body,” it is not therefore not part of the body. 16 If the ear would say, “Because I’m not the eye, I’m not part of the body,” it’s not therefore not part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the smelling be? 18 But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body, just as he desired. 19 If they were all one member, where would the body be? 20 But now they are many members, but one body. 21 The eye can’t tell the hand, “I have no need for you,” or again the head to the feet, “I have no need for you.” 22 No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. 23 Those parts of the body which we think to be less honorable, on those we bestow more abundant honor; and our unpresentable parts have more abundant propriety; 24 whereas our presentable parts have no such need. But God composed the body together, giving more abundant honor to the inferior part, 25 that there should be no division in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. 26 When one member suffers, all the members suffer with it. When one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.
27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.
In science we learn that for anything to happen within the human body, digestion, movement of muscles, growth, anything, a number of factors are involved. For example, in digestion there are enzymes. There are also co-enzymes which do not do the job of the enzymes, but are necessary for the enzymes to work. And so it goes. Multiple comparisons could be made.
Perhaps the thinking of the world has seeped into the body of Christ. Some people seek to have the most “likes” on Facebook. American Idol pushes the idea that unless you are the “one” winner, that you are the loser.
All that really is not in line with the thinking of the body of Christ.
There are those with the gift of administration. They should be leading in whatever capacity their gifts take them. There are those with the gift of helps. They should be helping in whatever capacity their gifts permit them to help.
If the body of Christ is ever to be one and have the power that is promised in oneness, there has to be a unity that comes from all members finding their place in the body, not trying to take the place of another, but finding their exact place and functioning there.
In reality, in a physical body, a liver cannot do the work of the kidney. The tongue can’t do the work of the hand. The eye can’t do the work of the ear or foot. It would be foolish to even try.
A liver is best being a liver. An eye is best being an eye. A hand is best being a hand. An ear is best being an ear.
When each part is fitly joined together, that is the place of increase.
Ephesians 4:16 from whom all the body, being fitted and knit together through that which every joint supplies, according to the working in measure of each individual part, makes the body increase to the building up of itself in love.
A blog post can only introduce a topic but not cover it in depth. For more study on various topics, click here for links to various Christian ministries.
Depending on the ministry, there may be online church services, YouTube videos, podcasts, radio programs, books, teaching, or more. You have to seek out what they have.