One Body

“One Body”

1 Corinthians 12-18 (NKJV)12 For as the body is one and has many members, but all members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one spirit we were all baptized into one body – whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free – and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.  14 For in fact the body is not one member but many.  If the foot should say “Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body, is it therefore not of the body?  16 And if the ear should say “Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body, is it therefore not of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye where would be the hearing?  If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? 18 But now God has set the members each one of them, in the body just as he pleased. 

Some of us have heard or read this passage and I would offer that because the word of God is alive, because it is active, the word is always relevant to the times, circumstances, trials, and environments we find ourselves in. I have heard believers say and shout that a right now word is needed. I believe the message of diversity, unity, hope, faith and love are the right now words that are needed.

Unity, according to Merriam-webster is the quality or state of not being multiple: ONENESS A condition of harmony: ACCORD.  As you and I grow in our journey with our Lord and savior Jesus Christ, WE can testify to the blessing of transformation that takes place.  As believers we begin to take on the characteristics of Christ.  The ministry of Jesus embodied the essence of unity. Throughout his ministry on earth, he welcomed everyone including the ones who were cast aside by society.  A few folks I recall is the Samarian woman at the well, the countless diseased stricken people, his own chosen disciples, and now he welcomes us all, he loves us, accepts us and redeems us.  I am so grateful that we serve a God who does not look at our short comings and cast us aside, but he urges us to come to him as we are.  He reminds us that he is sovereign so in fact he knows everything about us. He knows the end from the beginning.  He has seen the good, the bad, and the ugly and yet he still chose us.  This transformation that takes place in our faith journey is gradual and as the Holy Spirit works in us, we put on Christ.

In my humble opinion, division & deception always seems to be the plot or the device that keeps us distracted, isolated and alienated.  People separated based on wealth, race, cultures, genders, etc.…More recently we’ve witnessed that even during a global pandemic when the world was truly aligned in concern as we learned of loved ones passing away, we also saw folks put against each other based on a decision to mask or unmask, get vaccinated or not.  News outlets, social media, and magazines jump on the bandwagon to spread divisive narratives.  The world fuels the fire of division, and it creeps its way into our own homes, our families, our communities and churches.  Psalm 133:1 “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity”.    It is written in Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV)For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.  Because we are human beings/carnal we often find ourselves in a state of conflict, whether fighting against our own flesh or fighting with someone else and in that fight, it can be easy to focus on what our eyes see in the natural world.  I believe that this is where the enemy wants us to keep our focus.  He knows that if we spend or energy & efforts fighting each other instead of yielding to the holy spirit that molds us into becoming more like Christ, he keeps us distracted from the main thing. One body in Christ was God’s designed and everything that God designs works out for the council of his own will.  As followers of Jesus, we offer praises and worship to our King of Kings because he ALONE is worthy.  We worship collectively and individually because we desire a move, his presence, a fresh wind of his spirit.  Because we recognize like David in Psalms 16:11 that in your presence there is fullness of joy: at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.  Unity invites his presence.  Matthew 18:20 Jesus speaks and tells us that For where there are two or three gathered TOGETHER in My name, I am there in the midst of them.  I looked up the definition of together and it read – assembled in a group or united in goals.  Unity rolls out the red carpet to welcome our savior to join us and pour out his spirit.

1Corithians 12:18 It is written but now God has set the members each one of them, in the body just as he pleased. 

I would like to encourage us all not to discount the gift or gifts that God has given us.  If you are like me, then you have struggled with insecurities.  There have been moments in my life where I knew I could make a difference but sat quietly because I did not think I spoke well enough and gave into the enemy’s tactic of fear.  It is written that God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, and of love and of a sound mind.  If we are all honest, there are times that each of us struggle with insecurities, and we minimize our ability to make a difference in God’s Kingdom.  But according to the WORD---- GOD has set the members each one of them in the body as he pleased.  I believe that verse speaks to our God given purpose and the strategic intentionally of GOD.  Jermiah 1:5 reads Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you.  There is a reason for your place in the body of Christ. It is my prayer that as believers we join to propel the kingdom agenda and the way to do that is to be unified in spirit.  Differences of personalities, offenses and disagreements will be present.  In those moments we must challenge ourselves to not only be hearers of the word but doers and respond according to his will.  We also recognize that unity does not mean blind acceptance of things that goes against the will of God or complete uniformity.  For it is the truth that sets people free.  We recognize that there are a range a gifts given to the body, teaching, praying, singing, speaking in tongues, prophecy, &, more …. and they are in place to give God the glory.  By doing this, it positions us to be the church in a world that needs us.  In a community that needs us.  No one person can accomplish the goal so let us pray for grace to remain humble as we are called to serve.  Matthew 23:12, Jesus speaks “And whoever exalts himself will be humbled and he who humbles himself will be exalted”.  In moments of conflicts, I hope that we can recall that each of us has been given the ministry of reconciliation.  2 Corinthians 2:5 (ESV) All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.  Extending grace to one another as our God is full of grace.  Forgiveness, I admit, can be easier said than done.  Betrayal and trauma are not wounds that can be healed easily.  But thank God that Jesus is our high priest, and he can relate fully to our pain & he is able to heal for he is near the broken the hearted and binds up their wounds.  It is written that We are called to bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you (Colossians 3:13)

I am convicted and challenged by this message as I am in the journey with you to be who God has called me to be.  Hezekiah Walker has a song; Titled I need you to survive This song was brought to my memory as I was preparing for tonight’s meditation.  A verse in the song says, I need you, you need me.  We’re all a part of God’s body.  Also, as I was meditating memories of my childhood were brought forward.  I cannot express how much love that I have for my hometown church. I cannot fully express the love that I have for my childhood Pastor, his wife and other leaders.  Beulah Baptist Church is where I gave my life to Christ and has provided a strong foundation in the building of my relationship with Jesus Christ.  Another thought I had was that I would not have had Beulah and all the people that poured into me if it was not for Poughkeepsie New York.  One of my heart desires is to see a change in my hometown.  Maybe, just maybe, like Esther we have been called for such a time as this.

 As I close, I want to encourage us by posing this question.  What is that thing or things that the Holy Spirit has been nudging you to do. Is it an idea to begin, is it in the area of forgiveness, is it taking a step to opening lines of communication with someone?  Don’t despise small beginning for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin.  One step of obedience can open doors.

Lastly, I can recall a season in my life that can be categorized as “the pruning process” or “gracefully broken”.  This season likens itself to the experience that the children of Israel had as they were led from captivity, into the wilderness, and then ultimately the promised land. I believe that many of us can relate.  In that season regardless of the trials, regardless of the darkness that tried to take a stand, my testimony is that I gained a fresher revelation of the love of Jesus Christ and who God is. I understand well what Paul meant when he said that it was good for me that I was afflicted.  I also had a real moment that my eyes were open to the fact that, indeed, the adversary is real, and he indeed comes to steal kill and destroy.  He desires us to be against each other so that Light in this dark world remains hidden or contained BUT I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  I believe that as the church, the body of Christ, we can be the hands and feet of Jesus and be his vessel to bring hope and good news.  In the wilderness season, I am grateful for many things and one thing for sure is that I am grateful for my brother and sisters in Christ who encouraged me, prayed for me and even cried with me.  And now these remain faith, hope, and love.  But the greatest of these is love.   1 Corinthians 13:13 

Let us pray.

Lord Jesus, I hope that I have done your will, and it is my prayer that you would be glorified and lifted.  Your word says that if you are lifted you will draw all men to you.  God, our world needs more of you.  Our families and communities need you.  You are the way, the truth, and the life.  Holy spirit speak to us and open our eyes to see, open our ears to hear and allow our hearts to respond accordingly.  Thank you for giving each of us purpose to participate in what you are doing in the earth.  May we not shrink back or grow weary in well doing but step into our calling to be the church.  Now to him who is able to do above all we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen