Saturday, December 8, 2012

Body of Christ: Part 2

the church should drink from the fountain of his spirit to stay together
The Fountain

For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.-1 Corinthians 12:13

The body of Christ means unity in diversity, but unity in diversity is not a concept that humanity naturally lives up to. People tend to only associate with those who think, feel, act, and look as they do in order to shield themselves from a wider world. So how do we unify a naturally diverse people? The answer would be the Holy Spirit. Only by the guidance of God’s Spirit can we ever truly unify the inherent differences that’s found in the human race. That is what Paul is driving at early on the passage with verse 13. Also keep in mind that this Passage does not stand alone. It is part of a broader passage that includes all of chapters 12-14 about gifts of the spirit. The Body of Christ being a product of those spiritual gifts coming together. While many churches can achieve unity without the spirit, it is at the expense of diversity. When a church tries to diversify without the spirit, unity suffers for it. For only the spirit can curtail the pride, arrogance, and selfishness that inspires people to make it all about them and their needs and wants alone. If either side of this sounds familiar then it’s a strong sign that there is a great lack of spirit in your church.  

 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.
1 Corinthians 12:7

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. -Ephesians 4:1-6


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