Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:17-20
This passage of scripture begs for us to consider how we are to encourage reconciliation to God if we are not reconciled to one another. I have made many observations while serving in Nepal. There is such a difference in the cultures of my country and this one. Nepalese stay together, families are in community with one another. All generations supporting and loving one another. In the “United” States there is distance not only in physical separation but as there is so much more independence there is also emotional and spiritual detachment. However, in both countries the family of Christ experiences splits and that’s what I want for us to look at more closely today. His church is in trouble everywhere because the enemy strives to keep us from being unified. Looking over Paul’s letters to the churches, this issue has its roots deep in history.
Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 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. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body. 1 Corinthians 12:12- 20
Are we not meant to conform to the image of Christ? Let us celebrate our unique differences and learn to function together as His body instead of trying to be like one another. Comparison kills. I have seen this on my World Race journey, as a miniature church moving from country to country we are meant to be an assemblage of His body parts working in unison for the effectiveness of the ministry. After experiencing different combinations of team members it has been interesting to learn how to better live out this scripture. As individuals we are learning how to be content in our unique abilities while still growing in the fullness of Christ.
If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 1 Corinthians 12:26-27
We are meant to be linked, locking arms with our brothers and sisters. This may mean at times that we have to hold one another up but we also get to experience being held up. Taking care of the body is the joy of the church. To love one another is a celebration and a reflection of all Christ did to take care of us.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. Colossians 3:15-16
Nepal is quite blessed to be operating fully in the passion of worship, I have seen it binds your communities in church and is a ministry of overflow. Continue to allow your thankful hearts to be an environment full of peace. A peace that brings back together churches that have split. Honor one another and be grateful for the body that has been healed by Christ.
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: 3-6
As one body we may accomplish all that Christ has called us to do. The building of orphanages, the establishment of medical clinics for the community, and the planting of churches requires us to be unified and harmoniously be at peace with one another.
For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it to show mercy, do it cheerfully. Romans 12:4-8
Leadership of the church is not meant to be overwhelmed. Respond to what the needs are of the body and do for the church what you do well. We are all gifted and by operating in our giftings we will experience more joy, being at peace within ourselves by heeding His call in our lives. This will bring relief to those who serve the church, as each carries the weight of a responsibility that will help to support the body.
So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors, and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-13
We don’t achieve fullness on our own, we need one another to be a whole body. Let’s demonstrate what reconciliation looks like, more people may be attracted to the health of the church and the vibrancy of life in the Kingdom. As souls are reconciled with God we will be able to disciple because the body will be able to support the weight of new family members. Unified we can do so much more for one another and for God as we witness how each different part takes care of not only itself but the whole body.
From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
Ephesians 4:16
