Building The Body

For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.

Ephesians 4:12

Christ said, ‘I will build my church.’  The Church is, at the same time, all of the redeemed of all ages and The Body of Christ.  In order for Christ to build his Church, He must do all that is necessary to bring His people unto Himself.  He also gives gifts unto His people, as we discussed yesterday.  The purpose of these gifts are ‘the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry and for the edifying of the body of Christ.’  What is important to remember from our perspective, is that we have no certain knowledge of who these people are, because we may encounter them at a stage of their experience before Christ has actually brought them unto Himself.  This will revolutionize our approach to every single person we encounter.  If Christ intends that we should build up His Body, and we do not know exactly who is who, then we may approach anyone, and everyone with the intention of edifying them, or building them up.  This puts the knife into the heart of the spirit of competitiveness, which results in personal advancement at the expense of others.  It brings us to imitate Christ ‘who went about doing good.’  By this exercise of what Christ has given us, we accomplish His larger purpose to build His Body.

Our Gracious Master and our God,
we rejoice that Your people are scattered over the whole earth,
and that we may encounter them at any time.
We praise You that You have given us the opportunity
to build others up in order that by all means,
we may point them to Christ.

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning