Joined And Knit Together

From the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

Ephesians 4:16

The people of God have an organic unity which is the result of our union with Christ.  We have spoken recently of growing up ‘in all things into Him who is the head, even Christ.’  Our text for today is the spiritually logical follow-on from what Paul says, that from Christ, the Head, ‘the whole body’ is ‘joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share.’  As is true of our physical bodies, so Christ’s spiritual Body has numerous functioning parts which fulfill their role in contributing to the overall benefit of the whole.  What is interesting to consider is how many of these contributions occur in subtle and perhaps unseen ways.  If, in fact, Christ’s Body is like the physical body, then the vast majority of what is going on is hidden from immediate observation.  We tend to laud and honor the outward, obvious manifestations of the workings of the Body of Christ.  We ought to be aware that what goes on unseen is very often what makes the outward manifestations possible.  One does not occur without the other.  Seen or unseen, obvious or hidden, outward or inward, we are all part of ‘the whole body joined and knit together.’

Our Wise and Wonderful God,
we rejoice at the way in which You have ordered
and arranged the body of Christ.
We praise You that each of us
has a contribution to make
to the welfare of Your people.

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning