28 Days of Christmas Devotions: The Greatest Gift-The Gift of Christ Day 11: The Gift of being a Member of Jesus Body “Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it.” I Corinthians 12:27 As we have already seen, we are friends with Jesus, family with Jesus, and one with Jesus. We, however, are not alone in our relationship with Christ, there are millions of Christians in the world today. Each Christian is a unique and individual member of the body of Christ with individual callings and gifting that help enhance the purpose and function of the body. The body of Christ is the church. It is a spiritual house with spiritual purposes. (I Peter 2:4-10.) Yet, at the same time it is a physical house. Not a physical house built with brick and mortar, but a physical house built with the assembly of men, women, and children who have accepted Christ as their Savior and Lord. A physical house with spiritual purposes grafted together by their faith in Christ. As there are many members with many purposes and functions there is but one head. The pastor, deacons, elders, nor anyone else is the head of the body of Christ. Christ alone is the head. Colossians 1:18 says, “He is also head of the body, the church.” Since Jesus is the head, we follow His direction and leadership. Not only is Jesus the head, the body is His as well. For we belong to Him and are united with Him. The church was purchased with the blood of Christ. Acts 20:28 says, “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.” Any church that Jesus is not the head of has no purchased body and is therefore not a true church. Unfortunately, so few people today take the church seriously. The church was placed on this earth to be a blessing to the whole world. It is the churches responsibility to share the gospel and minister to the hurting. We see both biblically and historically when the church is strong, families are strong, and when the church is strong, society itself is morally upright and therefore strong. You want to change the world? Get plugged into a church and make sure it is functioning properly. If it refuses to function properly, find one that will. After all, this is God’s design. We often hear the phrase quoted from Hebrews 10:25 to, “not forsake the assembling of one another.” To assemble is to be the church. The command is clear in the Word of God to not forsake the assembling or not forsake church. However, when we hold this verse into its context we see why. The verse prior tells us, “let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds.” In other words, we are there to strengthen and encourage one another. Then we see that the whole verse says. “not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” This verse is telling us as we see the day drawing near, or getting more difficult, we need to assemble, for the purpose of strength and encouragement, all the more. Truly, we have received the greatest gift this world has ever seen. This is part 11 of 28 devotions that will go through Christmas Eve. If you would like to subscribe to my daily devotions please PM me your email. Also, please share. Merry Christ-Mass
Posted on: Sun, 07 Dec 2014 12:23:03 +0000
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