The Body of Christ

“First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world. For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God's will I may now at last succeed in coming to you. For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine.” (Romans 1:8-12 ESV)

This was Paul writing to the church in Rome. And by “church” I don’t mean institutions of human origin, buildings built by human hands, businesses (not-for-profit) incorporated under the state, church denominations, civic centers, and social clubs. I mean the body of Christ comprised of all who are of genuine faith in Jesus Christ across the globe, i.e. the universal body of Christ. We the people of God, who have been crucified with Christ in death to sin, and raised with Christ to walk in newness of life in him, are the church.

These whom he was thanking were those of genuine faith in Jesus Christ, whose faith in Jesus Christ was being proclaimed in all the world. And the faith that Paul taught is not what is commonly being taught as faith in Christ today. For if you read all of his writings, you will see that he taught that genuine faith in Christ results in us dying with Christ to sin, not just once, but daily, and us walking in obedience to our Lord in holy living and in submission to him and to his will for our lives (see Romans 6:1-23).

[Rom 1:18-32; Rom 2:6-8; Rom 6:1-23; Rom 8:1-14,24; Rom 12:1-2; Rom 13:11; 1 Co 1:18; 1 Co 6:9-10,19-20; 1 Co 10:1-22; 1 Co 15:1-2; 2 Co 5:10,15,21; Gal 5:16-21; Gal 6:7-8; Eph 2:8-10; Eph 4:17-32; Eph 5:3-6; Col 1:21-23; Col 3:5-17; 2 Tim 1:8-9; Tit 2:11-14; Heb 3:1-19; Heb 4:1-13; Heb 9:28; Heb 10:23-31; Heb 12:1-2]   

So Paul was thankful to God for those of genuine walks of faith in Jesus Christ, and he prayed for them regularly. And he prayed that he would be able to see them in person in order to encourage them in their walks of faith and in obedience to the Lord, and to minister to them and to their needs. He prayed that he might impart to them some spiritual gift to strengthen them in their walks of faith in the Lord Jesus in obedience to his commands. And he desired that they all would mutually encourage one another in the Lord.

And this is what the purpose is of the body of Christ, that we might encourage one another in our walks of faith and in obedience to our Lord in holy living. Yet this isn’t just about saying “nice” things to make people feel good about themselves, but this involves exhortation (holy urging) so that none of us are led astray by sin’s deceitfulness. And this involves us speaking the truth in love to one another so that we are not led astray by the cunning and craftiness of other humans in their deceitful scheming.

All this, too, is to help strengthen us in our walks of faith in obedience to the Lord so that we will be those who are not only living the truth of the gospel, but who are sharing the truth of the gospel with others. And it is so that, via mutual encouragement, that we will all grow together to spiritual maturity in Jesus Christ, our Lord, as each part does its work and is allowed to do its work within the fellowship of the body of believers in Jesus Christ. Speaking the truth in love to one another we, thus, can all grow in Christ together.

[Matt 5:13-16; Matt 28:18-20; Jn 4:31-38; Jn 13:13-17; Jn 14:12; Acts 1:8; Acts 2:14-18; Acts 26:18; Rom 10:14-15; Rom 12:1-8; Rom 15:14; 1 Co 12:1-31; 1 Co 14:1-5; Eph 4:1-16; Eph 5:11-27; Php 2:1-8; Col 3:16; Heb 3:13; Heb 10:23-25; 1 Pet 2:9,21; 1 Jn 2:6]  

And this is what the gatherings of the church are to be all about. Our gatherings are to be for the purpose of mutual fellowship in the Lord and in exhorting (holy urging) one another in our walks of faith and obedience to our Lord in holy living, and in praying for one another’s needs. And each one of us is to have a part in that where we minister to one another the love of God and the truths of God’s word so that we will all walk in holiness and in righteousness, in obedience to our Lord, and in sharing the true gospel.

And this can take place in person with people anywhere that we want to meet together, any day of the week, and any time of day or night agreeable to everyone. We do not have to be locked into specific times or locations for our gatherings for them to be gatherings of the church. Therefore, these gatherings may also take place virtually, on the internet, where we can gather together with other believers in Christ in order to mutually encourage one another in our walks of faith and in obedience to our Lord Jesus Christ.

Oh, to Be Like Thee, Blessed Redeemer 

Lyrics by Thomas O. Chisholm, 1897

Music by W. J. Kirkpatrick, 1897

Oh, to be like Thee! blessèd Redeemer,

This is my constant longing and prayer;

Gladly I’ll forfeit all of earth’s treasures,

Jesus, Thy perfect likeness to wear.

Oh, to be like Thee! full of compassion,

Loving, forgiving, tender and kind,

Helping the helpless, cheering the fainting,

Seeking the wandering sinner to find.

O to be like Thee! lowly in spirit,

Holy and harmless, patient and brave;

Meekly enduring cruel reproaches,

Willing to suffer others to save.

O to be like Thee! while I am pleading,

Pour out Thy Spirit, fill with Thy love;

Make me a temple meet for Thy dwelling,

Fit me for life and Heaven above.

Oh, to be like Thee! Oh, to be like Thee,

Blessèd Redeemer, pure as Thou art;

Come in Thy sweetness, come in Thy fullness;

Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrYhiK2nQBg 

Caution: This link may contain ads