From the Pastor's Desk
The Church and Christian Growth
"...From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love."
(Ephesians 4:16)
The Apostle Paul is teaching the Corinthian Church the truth of diversity in unity. He portrays this with the figure of the human body. Its several parts are quite different, and yet all belong to the same organic body. No one will deny that the human body is unified although diversified. Even so, how can the mystical body of Christ of which we are members in particular be divided.
Just as the eye in the human body cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of thee;" no child of God in the mystical body of Christ can sustain his or her growth without the fellowship and ministry of the other members of the household of faith.
We are not going to sweep into the gates of Glory as an individualist, but as a member of the body of Christ (the church) with Jesus himself being the head. The gifts we have and the positions we hold are controlled by the self-same Spirit, dividing to every man severally as He wills.
As we walk with God, we need one another. We can never attain the place in God we should without the prayers, help and ministry of other members of the body. Thus in highlighting our key scripture, the Apostle Paul speaks of the glorious aspect of truth on this wise; "But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love." (Ephesians 4:15-16)
