The Body Of Christ
BRD REFLECTIONS:
Ephesians 4:1-16 and Psalm 65 (NIV)
(Alvin Chua, Chairperson of COSC)
READ
Ephesians 4:1-16 (NIV)
OBSERVE:
Ephesus was a large ancient city with diverse ethnic groups and cultures. In Paul’s third missionary journey, many Jews and Gentiles were converted to Christianity. He wrote this letter to make it clear that Jews and Gentiles have been brought together as part of one body in Christ. He encouraged them to be humble, gentle and patient, bearing one another in love. They should make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
APPLY:
The day I prepared this devotion, my daughter hosted a BBQ fellowship dinner with the BeTween ministry worship team members. I decided to help her set up the fire. I laid down some fire starters, stacked up some charcoal above and around them, then lit them up. A key point is ensuring the coals touch each other, and yet have enough space for oxygen to enter. As the coals started burning, I gently fanned until most of the coals became red hot, being careful not to fan too early or too hard, as it might kill off the fire if I did so.
As I did this, I realised the parallels with my faith journey and echoes of how I should work as part of the Body of Christ. God lit the fire in me to serve Him in ministry. However, I am not to serve Him in isolation, no matter how capable I might think I am. Instead, by His grace, He called His people, diverse as we may be, giving each of us different gifts to work together as one.
There will always be challenges in working together in our ministry groups due to differences in our approaches, abilities, life experiences and where we are on our faith journey. Where there are disagreements with my co-workers in Christ, I should respond with humility and gentleness, learning to work together with respect, encouragement and love. Being part of one body, one spirit, and one hope, we are to build one another up in unity of faith and maturity, attaining the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
I deeply believe that learning to work in unity as the body of Christ and building it up is a crucial part of my discipleship journey through which God transforms me. In John 15:4-9, my Lord Jesus promised me that if I remain in Him, He will remain in me. Collectively with my brothers and sisters-in-Christ, we are together one body in Him. No wonder Paul urges us to make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace (Ephesian 4:3)!
DO:
I must always remember not to be only task orientated as I serve together with my co-labourers in Christ. I should make every effort to stay close to God and be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. I will make every effort to build up the body of Christ wherever God places me.
PRAY:
O Abba Father, we praise You and give You thanks. Despite our waywardness, You are faithful in loving us, always longing to unite with us.
O God, I pray that You will help all of us as Your children to learn to love one another more, until we all reach unity in the faith, mature in the knowledge of the Son of God, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Amen
