by David Brenneman
"On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; and those members of the body which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable, whereas our more presentable members have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it." 1 Corinthians 12:22-27.
It must have been an amazing experience, a sight to see, in the days of the early Church when over 3,000 were saved. What days they experienced of just helping one another as any who had need of.
Of eating and celebrating together their salvation in Christ Jesus.
I know of many preachers who have preached on this very subject. At least so far as the part of the 3,000 souls. But read into it. There's more going on.
These people, in the face of opposition, still came to Christ for salvation. They would become enemies of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Jobs would be in peril. Social status in jeopardy. Yet helping one another in whatever means was necessary meant more to them.
All this we have today of denominations wasn't on their minds. Think about that one.
But as to the real Church, the real body of Christ, nobody ought to be forgetting the character of this early Church.
A significant character trait was a serious lack of selfishness. Nobody considered it an inconvenience to stop and help. Nobody had a scheduled event that was more important than helping a brother or sister in Christ. If any had money they used it to help.
The fruits of the Spirit a abounded.
What were they?
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit." Galatians 5:22-25.
This season that is upon us again isn't to be all about what we get but of what we give...which first and foremost should be ourselves.
Do you pray for whatever is important to Jesus? Do you ask for the fruits of the Spirit to be seen in your life?
It matters not what you look like but where your heart is at before Jesus.
Possessions, hobbies, sports, social media content, anything of the sort are not at all as important as helping one another in Christ.
Who cares if you're going to miss some event if someone in need gets the help they have been needing?
Getting through life isn't always about you or I.
When someone comes to Christ priorities change. What we see in the Early Church is a heart following after Christ being displayed.
Are you financially able to free someone in Christ who's struggling to get through life and yet has been obedient to Christ in their lives? Why have you not prayed to see if you should be their help?
Are you physically able to be an answer to someone else's prayers and have put other things higher on your priority list?
These two specific things are what we see happening in the Early Church.
God blesses us so that we can be a blessing to others. Not just around Christmas time. All the time.
We who are in the body of Christ aren't to self-isolate. We aren't to look away from others in need.
These are not character traits of one who claims to be a Christian.
What opportunities have you been presented with that you've been pushing aside?
What could you do that you are intentionally not doing for others?
Do you not believe that the very same Lord Jesus Christ who blessed you so abundantly once could do so again?
Dr. Charles Stanley has a great personal story of his camera equipment.
There was a drive to raise money for something and God was telling him to sell his equipment. He wrestled with God over it. He had no peace until he obeyed. He put all of it together and took it to a local shop and sold it. At first it was incredibly painful. But the obedience brought peace that passed all understanding. Many months passed and there was a knock at his door. All he saw was his camera bag and the back of someone walking away. Inside was everything he had given up. I believe this was a part of his Life Principle of obeying God and leave the consequences to Him. Possibly of another where we are to obey God even when it seems like God's being unreasonable.
Another Life Principle of Dr. Charles Stanley says that anything you hold too tightly to you will lose.
Society as a whole has a problem with both trying to keep up with their friends, neighbors and society but also with defending their own right to create a corner of Heaven here on Earth at all costs.
These are not character traits of Christ.
Do you pray for the local Church you go to? Do you pray for how you could help others? Do you pray for your Pastor and his Wife and family (sorry to all but there are no women Pastors, not Biblical). Do you pray for the rest of the body of Christ of which you are a part of?
Do you believe that He who has blessed you with abilities and gifts once, can and will do so again once you obey?
The Early Church did but didn't give up or lose everything. They gave it all back to Jesus and Jesus blessed their obedience.
Jesus gave up Heaven to come to Earth to be the sacrifice necessary to save humanity. Heaven is everything that is right and perfect. Our eternity was more important than that to Jesus.
You who are saved...in the body of Christ...are you living it today or has the world convinced you to handcuff yourself to your wants, wishes, desires, ambitions that aren't character traits of Christ?
Jesus is returning and already posted the question two thousand years ago: Will I find the faith when I return?
All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.
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