For years a fitness craze has swept across our nation. For a small sum you can purchase a little plastic gadget that is guaranteed to give you a “tonier tummy.” Or, you can be aerobicized by the latest cross-country ski simulator. You can still “sweat with the oldies” if that is your cup of tea. Everyone has heard the news: fitness pays! There are great benefits in a well-thought-out and properly executed plan for body building.
Did you realize that God wants every Christian to be in the body building business? Building up the body of Christ, the church, should be a priority in our lives! This is what being the body is all about! Consider that Ephesians 4:16 says that the whole body is joined and held together by every supporting ligament and it grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
Collectively, members of the body of Christ enjoy the benefit of relationships which help us grow in the Lord. Individually, each member has the responsibility to function as an industrious builder in God’s spiritual house, being careful how he builds (1 Corinthians 3:10b). Because, we are all in the body building business, we must give careful attention to becoming more effective builders. Where does this begin?
First, the church is built on the rock solid foundation of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 3:11). There is no other suitable underpinning. Jesus is our firm foundation, upon this Rock we can build with confidence. In fact, if we are not putting Christ first we are building on shifting sand.
Next, Paul indicates that the building process involves both planting and watering the seed, that is, God’s Word (1 Corinthians 3:6). Inherent in the preceding is both message and method. The seed needs to be sown in human hearts. We must be truly convicted that the Word of God, when implanted in human hearts, can save (James 1:21). Even as Paul was willing to become all things to all men that he might by all possible means save some (1Corinthians 9:22), we must also be committed to engaging in every permissible method to broadcast this message to the world.
Finally, we must realize that God has designed the church to work together as an interdependent unit. Members of Christ’s body aren’t to have a “maverick mentality.” While we are all required to do our part, we don’t “go it alone.” Romans 12:5 states, “In Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” God’s plan is for us to function as a body, working together as a living organism to bring about spiritual growth. The body builds itself up in love as each part does its work. We who are members of the Lord’s church all need one another. Because each member has been blessed by God with special talents and abilities, every member should be resolved to be involved. This what being the body is all about!
© Bill Williams
2009.06.22
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You are right that we need to work together as one body being led totally by Christ. More people need to get this awareness!
You are so right. Every Christian should to be in the body building business? Building up the body of Christ, the church, should be a priority in our lives! And Jesus Christ, the Head of the Body, is our personal trainer. I’m starting to get excited about body building, now.