“There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all” (Ephesians 4:4-6).
Scripture tells us there is one body and one Spirit, one Lord, one faith, and one baptism. Should there be any variations when we are told through scripture that there is only one? Should there be variations amongst the members in the one body, “the so-called body of Christ?” Believers are taught that each of us have different assignments, but does this mean that the members of the one body have different objectives?
Here is an interesting statistic, discovered a few years back while doing some research: there are more than 103.5 million members in more than more than seventy-five different church bodies that make up the “so-called body” body of Christ. But if there be one body, shouldn’t these members of this body at least have the same objective, the same vision, and the same mission before them? What about their knowledge of Christ, shouldn’t that be similar amongst the member? If not, does this mean that the members are permitted to have varied beliefs as to who Christ is, what he is and where he comes from? If there be only one Lord, shouldn’t the more than 103.5 million members in the more than more than seventy-five different church bodies that make up his “so-called body” be in agreement about him? One would surely think so, unfortunately, this be not the case.
“But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion (opportunity) from them which desire occasion (opportunity) that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed (transforms himself) into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works” (II Corinthians 11:12-15).
The problem is that Satan has infiltrated the body of Christ and divided the kingdom. He has entered the organization and has become part of it so much so that he is hard to recognize. That one we believe to be him in disguise is usually not him but that one we believe to be a member of the body is actually him in disguise. We have allowed him to get close to us and close to our hearts. We have allowed him to come into our family and become a part of it. We have allowed him into our house and have set a place at our table for him. We have allowed him to influence whom we talk to, what we think of, what we say, what we believe in, and much more.
“And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end. No man can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil (plunder) his house” (Mark 3:24-27).
Christ has one body, which is the church (Romans 12:4-5; I Corinthians 10:16-17; I Corinthians 12:12-27; Ephesians 4:1-6). The misunderstood teachings, misguided theologies, and misinterpreted doctrines that have been introduced by Satan have blinded the mind of man to the truth pertaining to the body of Christ. Because man did not control and maintain these truths contained in the wonderful gospel, Satan has divided the body of Christ (the church) into the many different factions that exist today. Imagine the power the body of Christ (the church) would have if it could unite as one and agree as to what the Bible says about God, Jesus the Christ, salvation, and many other things. This is what Satan does not want to happen, unity among the people and agreement on the gospel of Christ. Since Satan has divided man, the gospel of the glory of Christ is now hid from man.
The truth of the matter is that there be only “one body of Christ” and every member, those more than 103.5 million members in the more than more than seventy-five different church bodies that make up the body of Christ needs to have the same objective, the same vision, and the same mission. Every member should have the same knowledge of Christ and hold the same beliefs, without variation. Scriptures tells us, “he who ascended up on high, leading captivity captive, gave gifts to men” (Ephesians 4:8). Scripture also tells us he who ascended up on high gave these gifts to men for three specific reasons. One of the reasons for the gifts was “for the edifying of the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12). The other reasons were “for the perfecting or equipping of the saints and for the work of the ministry” (Ephesians 4:12). But it is the purpose for these gifts that we are most drawn to. The purpose for these gifts is to bring us “into unity or in agreement about the faith and about our knowledge of the son of God” (Ephesians 4:13).
We pray that today’s inspirational message will give you a new perspective on “being part of the body of Christ.” We also pray that this message will bless you, inform you, and that you will be the better for having read it. If blessed by this message, please share so that others may be blessed as well. Amen.
Enjoy your blessings - KW
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