One & many, the mystery of the church, the miracle of our unified body

By Dean Collins

Many would list self-sufficiency as characteristic of human maturity. We all begin with total dependence on someone else to care for us, feed us, and provide for every need. As we progress through the human development process, we become increasingly adept at taking care of ourselves.

Pediatricians and child psychologists can articulate clearly what children at various stages can and should be able to do on their own at different ages in their development.

On the other end of our life cycle, doctors and those who specialize in geriatric care monitor how and when diminishing daily tasks indicate we need more support and help. This data helps families know when Mom, Dad, or one of the grandparents needs different levels of care.

All through life our teachers, coaches, and even employers value and reward those who can self-manage. We tend to expect and value those who can take care of themselves.

A vital shift

When we made our decision to follow Jesus, we shifted from being one who simply takes care of self to becoming one of many who make up the body of Christ. Going through this spiritual transformation requires learning to become less focused on self and more focused on what Jesus is doing in the world through all who call him Lord and together form his body and reveal his witness.

Part of our spiritual growth includes understanding that, in addition to the natural talents we may possess, we now receive various spiritual gifts through the Holy Spirit. These gifts are given to be used for kingdom purposes. Our spiritual gifts have been given for the benefit of the whole, and not to be hoarded or focused on self-satisfaction.

Throughout the many letters the apostle Paul wrote, he spent considerable time teaching us about the importance of the diversity of gifts and their purpose. Paul teaches that we are a part of one body and yet individually we are given a manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. Common good is not about any one person but refers to what is good for the whole, for the church, even for humankind. Miraculously, in Christ we are transformed from our individual distinctions into a unified new identity. Paul says it this way: “For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.”

While each of us comes from different places, ethnic heritages, racial identities, economic positions, and social statuses, once we are in Christ he becomes our all-consuming and united identity. Imagine the powerful witness the church would have if we could somehow surrender to the One who gave his life for us to make us one so that the world might see what happens when every knee is bowed together and serves together as one for the glory of God.

An important assessment

Sadly, as we take an honest assessment of ourselves and of the church, we realize that much is lacking in the unity of the church and in the practice of many using their gifts for the benefit and service of the whole.

In Ephesians 4 Paul emphasizes the oneness we are to exhibit in Christ. Consider the purpose Paul explains we have when we use our gifts as they are intended: “for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.”

The enemy of Christ continues to wage war on the body of Christ, attempting to deceive from within and make us look sadly confused and weak to those outside of Christ. We must be careful that we do not surrender to cultural human cunning and the craftiness of deceitful schemes.

Paul continued his teaching with the alternative to caving to human systems: “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.”

Lord, forgive us for the many times we have focused on self as most important. Forgive us when we fight to protect our preferences and even our individual identities over surrendering to the power of the cross where every person is reconciled with you and by your blood to each other. Unite us in love, build us up to be the body of Christ the world so desperately needs to see. Fill us with your Spirit, fortify the work of our hands as we proclaim your name and demonstrate your unity for all to see. May you be glorified in the unity of your church. In Jesus name, Amen

Your time with God’s Word
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭12:5-7, 12-31; Ephesians‬ ‭4:4-7, 11-16‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Photo by Nhia Moua at Unsplash.

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