October 8th, 2022
by WILLIAM MCREYNOLDS
by WILLIAM MCREYNOLDS
Many people have been shaped by the impact of this worlds cultural norms and thinking. The common thought is, “I can do everything myself and as long as I am happy that is all that matters”. – These thoughts are motivated by the individuals need to be in control and assisted by the attacks of the kingdom of darkness. These things are counter to God’s truth and His word.
Think of this. If you are Soley responsible for the way you live, including the way you practice your faith: why would you ever need a body of fellow believers?
Wouldn’t that actually be a copout? Wouldn’t that be a weak persons’ way to avoid taking responsibility?
Such a conclusion denies the truth of how Spirit led, and Spirit prompted believers live.
The spirit led believers are joined together in this metaphorical Body of Christ, the church which physically is the fellowship and community of those who activity pursues and follow Jesus.
A Spirit -prompted Christian life is about learning to live in fellowship with other "Spirit – Prompted" people and a complete trust and relying on Jesus.
In this close and mutually accountable relationship with Jesus and other Spirit Led Believers, we learn to live the gospel at the deepest of levels.
The Holy Spirit drives spirit-filled believers to the church and it is the Holy Spirit that forms the Body of Christ. The Holy Spirit creates this community and closeness.
The metaphor of Gods people as the Body of Christ pops up on almost every page of Paul’s letters in the New Testament:
“Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts forms 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.
New Covenant People need New-Covenant Presence and Power: These are given to the new-people of God, the church, the Body of Christ. The deepest Spirit-life is a body-life, and this Body helps us grow into the kind of maturity the rest of the world DOES NOT KNOW OR UNDERSTAND.
Ray Steadman, author of the book, "Body Life" states that the gifts of Apostles, Prophets, Evangelism, Pastors and Teachers were given to the Body of Christ to equip and empower the LAY PEOPLE to do the work of the ministry The Spirit is not just given to the Pastors, Priests or Religious Professionals NO, instead it is given for the entire body to do the work of the ministry. That is YOU!
This means every believer can do the Ministry of Jesus and contribute to His Kingdom.
Spiritual gifts are available to the believer and every member of His body can do His works and carry out the Father’s Ministry.
No church is perfect, especially if you or I are involved in it That is the point! We need the Holy Spirit to transcend our inabilities regarding fellowship and love, and we need the Holy Spirit to transform our natural abilities into Spiritual Gifts that build up the Body of Christ.
True fellowship is about learning the stories of others and vis-versa.
It involves learning how to adjust to one another, to make strangers into friends. But this is what a church is like. It is NOT a fellowship of “everyone’s the same”, but a fellowship of "every one is different and unique", which is exactly why we need the Holy Spirit to transcend out inabilities and transform our abilities.
Blessings to You!
Bill & Wendy McReynolds
Also, if you have a need or prayer request, let us know. We would love to take those concerns before the Lord and ask for His Divine Mercy for you and any needs you may have.
Think of this. If you are Soley responsible for the way you live, including the way you practice your faith: why would you ever need a body of fellow believers?
Wouldn’t that actually be a copout? Wouldn’t that be a weak persons’ way to avoid taking responsibility?
Such a conclusion denies the truth of how Spirit led, and Spirit prompted believers live.
The spirit led believers are joined together in this metaphorical Body of Christ, the church which physically is the fellowship and community of those who activity pursues and follow Jesus.
A Spirit -prompted Christian life is about learning to live in fellowship with other "Spirit – Prompted" people and a complete trust and relying on Jesus.
In this close and mutually accountable relationship with Jesus and other Spirit Led Believers, we learn to live the gospel at the deepest of levels.
The Holy Spirit drives spirit-filled believers to the church and it is the Holy Spirit that forms the Body of Christ. The Holy Spirit creates this community and closeness.
The metaphor of Gods people as the Body of Christ pops up on almost every page of Paul’s letters in the New Testament:
“Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts forms 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.
New Covenant People need New-Covenant Presence and Power: These are given to the new-people of God, the church, the Body of Christ. The deepest Spirit-life is a body-life, and this Body helps us grow into the kind of maturity the rest of the world DOES NOT KNOW OR UNDERSTAND.
Ray Steadman, author of the book, "Body Life" states that the gifts of Apostles, Prophets, Evangelism, Pastors and Teachers were given to the Body of Christ to equip and empower the LAY PEOPLE to do the work of the ministry The Spirit is not just given to the Pastors, Priests or Religious Professionals NO, instead it is given for the entire body to do the work of the ministry. That is YOU!
This means every believer can do the Ministry of Jesus and contribute to His Kingdom.
Spiritual gifts are available to the believer and every member of His body can do His works and carry out the Father’s Ministry.
No church is perfect, especially if you or I are involved in it That is the point! We need the Holy Spirit to transcend our inabilities regarding fellowship and love, and we need the Holy Spirit to transform our natural abilities into Spiritual Gifts that build up the Body of Christ.
True fellowship is about learning the stories of others and vis-versa.
It involves learning how to adjust to one another, to make strangers into friends. But this is what a church is like. It is NOT a fellowship of “everyone’s the same”, but a fellowship of "every one is different and unique", which is exactly why we need the Holy Spirit to transcend out inabilities and transform our abilities.
Blessings to You!
Bill & Wendy McReynolds
Also, if you have a need or prayer request, let us know. We would love to take those concerns before the Lord and ask for His Divine Mercy for you and any needs you may have.
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