"The Body of Christ"

Victory Can Be Yours!

Article #34 – “The Body of Christ”

What does the Church look like?  What makes up the Church?  The Church, and I am not speaking of the building that you worship in, is the body of believers.  The Church is made up of individual believers who have been ‘born again’.  How you become ‘born again’ is clearly described in the gospel of John, chapter 3, where Nicodemus comes to Jesus in the night.  Jesus tells Nicodemus, “Truly, truly I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3)  The dialogue between the two continues with Jesus saying, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)  It is all about believing in Jesus, “whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”  The moment that we believe in Jesus Christ, we are indwelled by the Holy Spirit and become part of the body of the Church.  “In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation-having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.” (Eph. 1:13) That is who makes up the body of believers, those who have believed in the only begotten Son of God.  Not only is a person saved from condemnation, and become an individual part of the body of Christ, you have been given eternal life with God. 

Now, as a part of the body, the Church, we have a role to play.  Paul states, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” Eph. 2:10)  That means that as a part of the body, we should serve God by serving others especially other believers.  “So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.” (Gal. 6:10)  As part of the Church, we are to be ambassadors, “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ …” (2 Cor. 5:20)

 Anyone would ask, how do we do that?  Well, God is not going to just throw us out there and say; get it done, without giving us the tools to accomplish the things He wants us to do.  He gives us the Holy Spirit as a helper as Jesus stated in the gospel of John.  “But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.” (John 16:7)  And He continued, “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; ...” (John 16:13)

You, too, can have victory in Jesus!  More will follow concerning God given gifts.

Lowell Parrish