5 May 2008, KL, Malaysia - Sulene
Ephesians 4:1-16
"There is ONE body and ONE Spirit... ONE hope... ONE Lord, ONE faith, ONE baptism, ONE God and Father of all" - ONE who is over all and through all and in all!
Our theme for this month of ministry in Malaysia and Thailand is THE BODY OF CHRIST! We are asking God to stretch our minds and challenge our actions as He teaches us on this. During our time here so far, we have also had amazing fellowship with different believers and workers and churches. My prayer is that our walks with them this month may bring both us and them one step closer to God. May our love and unity be a testimony that invites many more into the Kingdom!
Each one who has been called and entered the kingdom of God is urged to live lives worthy of this calling. To live lives that purposefully keep the unity of the Spirit.
Christ apportioned grace to all and gave gifts according to the Fathe's perfect will. Some are gifted to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and some teachers - all for ONE purpose: TO SERVE! So that the body of Christ may be built up until we reach unity. As we live and serve towards unity in faith, we grow in ONE understanding and knowledge of the Son of God and we become mature in Him. God's desire for his body is surely to attain to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ - lacking nothing; doubting nothing; being secure and mature in His truth.
In this process of growing towards that unity, that one-ness, that maturity in the body of Christ, I sometimes find myself tossed back and forth. There are so many teachings, so many ways of understanding, so many convincing speakers and crafty methods. Some are certainly inspired by this ONE Spirit, but some are just mere human efforts. Some parts of it maybe initiated and given by God, but then some parts that are so disorted by deception.
It's only in the Lord that we can be ONE. Only by His grace that we will ever grow mature to be ONE kingdom - not divided in itself. For any kind of body to function and grow, all parts need to be fully submitted to the head. A body has only ONE head and our Head is Christ.
I submit myself again to you, my Head, my Lord! Teach me to live out and function well in my part of serving your body. ONE body. ONE church. ONE kingdom. Build up your body in love. Use me as an instrument. In my heart I cry out to reach this point Paul mentions. where:
"Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow up into Him who is our Head, that is Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work."
The words "AS each part does its work" also calls us up towards action. Unity and growth in the body of Christ on earth (His worldwide church) will not come by itself. It will not happen automatically or instantly. You and I need to take up our roles and do our work in love and in truth. We are called to live lives worthy of His calling - humble, gentle, patient and loving... We need to come alongside one another and work toward one goal to establish the Kingdom of Heaven.
My prayer for Global Challenge and the church in Malaysia and Thailand at this time, is Romans 15:5-6.
"May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and one mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."