“Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”
1 Corinthians 12:15-20,27
There is so much value in knowing history. It gives you insight into the birthing of movements, cultures, and systems. It lets you see the dangers of certain behaviors and patterns so not to repeat them. It also allows you to see what worked and why the success had lasting impact. What’s my point? We must know our spiritual heritage! Not only that which is written in the Bible, but also what God has done over the past almost 2,000 years since the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Why? Because we are woven into the storyline of God. The prophesies of the past are coming to light in these days.
Knowing the past, allows us to see the hand of God throughout generations. The Old Testament of the Bible shows the consistency of God keeping His promises. The New Testament brings these promises to the masses with the revelation of ‘Christ in you, the hope of glory.’ With this, comes a change of approach and method. Instead of the people coming to the one leader that was set apart, the Spirit of the Living God is the gift to all those who ‘believe in their hearts and confess with their mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord.’ The God of the Universe invited His sons and daughters to now participate in the harvest of souls for the glory of His Name!
With this offer, comes opportunity. The Lord needs you to be YOU! He has a call and a purpose for your life. YOUR life. Science is the discovery of how God does things. The human body is used as an analogy to the functioning of the saints on purpose. No word that Jesus spoke was without intention. His words were chosen. His words were inspired. His words are truth. Looking at the birthing of the Church in Acts, we see that this example was key to the foundation of its structure. The heart needs lungs, the brain needs the liver, etc. Like this, the body of Christ has key roles that need to be celebrated. We don’t need the evangelist to be the pastor. We need to champion the pastor as well as the evangelist! There is harmony and increased fruit in collaboration. When the offices work in harmony, the result is exponential!
As we move closer to the return of Jesus Christ, we must champion each other in the assignment that the Lord has given us. Collaboration is the example from history that produces the outcome desired. A well trained athlete reveals what happens when systems work together in harmony. Unity is one thing. We may be in unity over idea – the world needs Jesus, but not in unity over function. When we celebrate and help one another in the calling the Lord has set for us, we see an outpouring of a greater glory and honor due the Name of Jesus.
Be who the Lord has called you to be. Champion the calling on the life of your brothers and sisters. Find ways to work together with those of different skill sets and strengths. This is the example of the past and the destiny of our future. To Jesus Christ be all glory, all honor, and all power for ever and ever, Amen!
