The church, which is the Lord's body, consists of various members that have many different abilities. God eagerly wants each of the members to be united perfectly in spiritual love. When we are aware of one another's value and become united in the Lord, the church can be set up more firmly, bear more abundant fruit, and glorify God all the more.
Accept Diversity, Recognize and Serve One Another
The body includes a head, eyes, a nose, lips, ears, hands, and feet and many internal organs such as the heart, lungs, a brain, a stomach, a liver and the like. They are all different in appearance and function. But none of them are unnecessary and all of them play their own roles. In the same manner, there are various members in the church which is the Lord's body, and when they are in harmony with the other members they can glorify God.
Some people might seem to work more enthusiastically than others. But some of them may ignore others and insist on their own opinions until theirs is accepted. They may not be able to embrace other people who have different ideas. They may go in different directions even when they have to work together. They may want to boast of their contribution as if they had done everything, and they may blame others for something that went wrong.
They may say they have sought the glory of God but they followed their own glory. They wanted to show themselves off and get recognition from others. If you are troubled in your heart, you need to check if you did so. You should find what part of your work went against the will of the Holy Spirit and repent of it. And you should turn back from it. Only then can you be consoled and recover. To the extent you fail to become united with other members, the Holy Spirit cannot work and Satan may even disrupt the work. It may also lead to disgracing God.
Therefore, we must do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but we should recognize others' merits and encourage and serve one another. Only when you do everything in one heart, one will, and one mind for God's glory, whatever you eat, drink, can you become the source of joy to God. Then, you can arise and shine, and enter the glory together (Philippians 2:2-4).
Have the Desire to Obey God's Will
Just as various members make up the body, there are many different people in the church and they are members of Christ. Only when they are united with the Lord can the church be beautifully established (Ephesians 1:22).
Therefore, in working for the kingdom of God we need to think about the church first before our own benefits and choose what is good for the church. We have to be under the control of Christ who is the head over all things to the church. We must obey the order and become harmonized in the Lord's will.
Some might say they work faithfully with a specific goal which is to give glory to God. But in terms of the way or direction to achieve it, they may go in a way that is different from God's will. If we pray and hear the voice of the Holy Spirit clearly, we can receive His urging and guidance. We can maintain peace and harmony with other people. We can do it through the Holy Spirit who works in the hearts of all believers.
However, if a person pushes ahead with something in his own thoughts and frameworks, the members of Christ who are supposed to be united, will be divided. To the extent that the members disobey, God cannot guarantee what they plan to do. Then, they may bear fruit that is just as much as they put efforts in it or may cause great loss as a whole.
Therefore, we should not take the way that seems right in our sight. Above all, we should check if we follow the order in the Lord. Moreover, we should choose the way of wisdom to pursue sanctification and peace with all men and extend the kingdom of God.
Cooperate and Fill One Another's Shortcomings
Only when all members of the church help and encourage one another can the church stand firmly. It is because only when they work together and fill each other's shortcomings can discord and strife be averted.
If one member hates and feels jealousy toward another member of the body, it is the same as hating and envying oneself. If all members seek their own benefit, if they complain about something insignificant or feel indifferent about things that they think are not related to them, then the efficiency of the work decreases, and it might delay or disrupt God's works.
As Galatians 6:2 says, "Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ," we should bear one another's burdens and take care of one another with one heart.
1 Corinthians 12:26-27 states, "And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are Christ's body, and individually members of it." It is like if a person gets a splinter in his heel, every member of the body shares the pain. And, if on his head he wears a crown, then the whole body is honored.
All members of the body are one. As a member of the body of Christ, we should look after each other's circumstances and share joy and sorrow together (Romans 12:15). And we should become a spiritual family who can be with one another in everything.
Ephesians 4:3-4 reads, "Being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling." We should preserve the unity of the Spirit diligently. Unity is a shortcut to blessings and the path to accomplishing God's will and providence completely. By realizing this, we should extend the kingdom of God all the more greatly.
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