This week, our passage further clarifies that not only do we need to be at our best, we each need to do our part in order for the Body [of Christ] to work effectively. Let’s once again go back to the analogy of a physical body. Having a physical body is a matter of conception. Having a functioning body is a matter of birth and breath and brain cells. But having an effective body is a matter of 2 things: 1. God’s divine will, and 2. Our personal choices. God's divine will determines to what level of effectiveness our body will function at according to His purposes for our life; and, our personal choices can grow, hinder, or stunt the effectiveness of a fully functioning body God has given.
We know that if we look at God’s divine will in the matter of the Body of Christ, Christ was perfect, He had everything He needed in order to live a victorious sinless, purposeful, pleasing life before God. As members of the Body of Christ, as we each remain connected to Christ, the Head of the Body, we have the supernatural ability to walk in and experience everything that Christ did. How is that possible? Does one person have or supply everything needed to make that happen? Even in their own life? No. Each individual member supplies something that makes the Body work effectively by doing their part. And this is where our personal choices come in…
Many people prefer to take the position of “God knows what needs to happen and so He will make it happen one way or another.” This is absolutely TRUE! But then why the need for us mortal, limited, fragile humans at all? It is a deep and wonderful concept: Just as we can choose whether to live for and in Him, He makes it clear that He has chosen us to partner with Him in His plan to overthrow the power of Satan here on earth. Let’s take just a moment and let that sink in….. The God of the universe wants us to help HIM!!! Wow! How do you respond to such a powerful invitation like that? Not by being passive, I can tell you that much! And yet, yes, we have the freedom to be passive, and make excuses for others who are passive. But just know that every time a Christ follower makes a decision to be passive in their share of what God is doing through the Body of Christ, the Body gets weaker, less effective, and reflects less and less the image of Christ.
Let’s not be passive friends. Let’s be engaged, intentional, dynamic, relevant, and connected to one another and all that God is doing. Let’s pray and diligently seek God about what our “share” looks like, and get busy! If you know what your part in the kingdom of God looks like, then seek God and His people for opportunities to do “whatever your hands find to do,” and “do it all to the glory of God!!” (Ecclesiastes 9:10 & Colossians 3:17)
Seeking to Grow my Walk with God and Others,
Dawn~