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Of The Body Of Christ
“Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.” 1 Cor. 12:27
When I think about the body of Christ, I see it as complete, perfected in Jesus. It is triumphant and eternal. I envision the body fully formed as it was from the beginning; when, “He chose us (individually) in Him before the foundation of the world.” (Eph. 1:4) As for its present composition? It is made up of the great cloud of witnesses that went before us and who are now with Him; those who live today and those yet born. Yes, I then found myself wondering, what is its current mix? Do the body of believers who went before represent 75% of Christ’s total number? Are 20% awake and alive today? Are 5% yet unborn?
You might think that entertaining such thoughts is meaningless, and you are right about that if the point is solely the percentages. It is highly speculative and we ought not delve into the secret things of God. Although, I must say it is curious to me to think how close we are to experiencing the last one called. And upon that, we will hear a trumpet blast and a shout never before heard that would cause the world’s walls to collapse; even as Jericho. Nonetheless, that isn’t my point. So, you ask, what is it then? Well, if you happened to find yourself thinking about the body of Christ earlier in what you did read and thought about your relation to it, then that’s the benefit. We can begin to appreciate the majesty of Christ’s bride and our connectedness to those who: (1) went before; (2) live in the world today, and (3) will join us tomorrow. We may see ourselves as one of many individuals in Christ who exist outside our physical and generational enclosures; outside our families, churches, and yes, even ourselves ~ living as we were in these old tents. As to the future, the Word also points to the unborn; speaking of those yet to be added, even those aborted by their mothers but whom the Heavenly Father has subsequently embraced and raised.
Moreover, I challenge you to meditate further on your involvement in this most holy and cherished bride of Christ. Consider its ethnic composition; where “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Gal. 3:28) I am completely humbled that many who read what I blog are as precious and diverse; reminding me of my childhood song, ‘Jesus loves the little children; all the children of the world. Red and yellow; black and white, we are precious in His sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world.’
Consider too, that from all our backgrounds we must enter through the same gate; walking the strait and narrow. We have nothing to boast. It was only by the precious blood of Christ, and Him crucified, we are saved. And when our souls are wondrously transported to heaven upon death, we shall be of one mind; one heavenly body. And, if we are so joined as one in heaven, how is it we cannot begin our journey here? Today? Is it not in a pilgrimage that many peoples should come to meet and to walk? As to where we finally gather, were we told the Father had many mansions to keep us separated? Oh, how we squabble among ourselves as did the twelve. Please; we must stop. The challenge for us is that if we are, indeed, the wheat; then okay, we were instructed not to pull up the chaff, but that doesn’t mean we should listen to it howling in the wind. Such wailing only serves the devil’s distraction, which is only meant to drown out the voice of the One we should hear. We should be listening for our Shepherd’s voice; a voice He said that His sheep both know and follow, but our preoccupation with the world, and worldly teachings, hinder our progress.
The bottom line is this: By faith, consider… imagine what it will be like when we are in heaven… when we stand with those from beginning to end; all of the Saints from every generation; every tongue; every educational background; literate and illiterate; black, white, yellow, brown, red… Arab, Jew, French, Russian, Chinese, African, American, Chilean, Australian… need I go on? How should this view of things to come in our lifetime; either by our death or Christ’s coming, refine and shape our attitudes and faith? First, it should and of God lead us to adore all of His excellences.. His wisdom, mercy and goodness, and yes, His justice. Second, of Christ.. His obedience to the Father, passion and sacrifice, glory and honor. Third, and of the Holy Spirit.. His anointing, filling and sealing, His intercession and revealing to us the oracles and mysteries of God through His Word.
How does such a vision particularly affect and challenge me? It makes me search the Scriptures Today and ask for the discernment to find what is common, available and true as it applies to all generations, peoples, and tongues; educational and cultural backgrounds relating to Jesus as our wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption. (1 Cor. 1:30) Such pursuits can only result in what we are all called to do as workmen: rightly divide the Word of God; separate the wheat from chaff; place our affections on the things eternal versus temporal… Need I say more?
Lift up your eyes, oh, man and see;
eternal glory;
a coming and zealous King.
And we the bride, we must prepare.
Diverse we are in tent now here,
but there? I think not.
For the pilgrimage of ransomed souls
starts where?
