An ABC of Faith

Joined

Ephesians 4:16 has the words, “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.”

A question, are you a joiner or a separator?

I recall the story of a young lad  who was going to be l enrolled as a member of a Chruch organisation the following week, who, when he got home announced to his parents that he was going to be ‘envolved’ next week. Maybe that is not a bad description of what it means to be part of the body of Christ; we are involved with the whole living, breathing, working of the the body of Christ.

In the gospels we are encouraged to be joined to the vine. However, if a branch is cut off from the tree and tossed to one side, it can no longer produce. It doesn't have the life of the tree in it. It is no longer connected to the source of life. This is how it is in the spiritual realm. Being cut off from union with Christ, we no longer are joined to our source of power. The power to live the Christian life, and to overcome the trails in the world; to know the joy of the Lord despite our circumstances, and to have intimate fellowship with God and hope for eternity. We need to stay vitally joined to the vine (Christ) to tap into the resources that are ours through Christ.

Ephesians and Colossians emphasise that no human being, or even group of human beings, is head of the Church. Jesus is head of the Church. He sets our direction. He is our example. He is our goal for ministry. In addition, Jesus also arranges us in his Body as he chooses, gives us gifts to use to bless each other and God, and holds us together so that we can effectively serve as his presence in the world. So let's set our hearts on Jesus. Let's use his life and love to inspire us and show us how to serve. Let's give him our allegiance and loyalty. He alone is head of his Body, the Church. Let's let him lead!

Righteous Father, thank you for Jesus. Thank you for his example, service, obedience, love, and sacrifice. Thank you for his resurrection, exaltation, power, and presence today in your Church and in my life. Father, please use me, and my brothers and sisters in Christ with me, to do his work in our world and share your grace with all who we meet. In the name of the Lord Jesus I pray. Amen.