His Body

Col 1:19 and not holding fast to the head, from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments, strong grows with a growth which is from God.strong
NCV
They do not hold tightly to Christ, the head. It is from him that all the parts of the body are cared for and held together. So it grows in the way God wants it to grow.


On reading this, what stood out today is that You are the One that is causing the Body of Christ to grow. I have so often looked at the Body of Christ as we know it in America and wondered at all the complications, wrong thinking, sin, etc that seems to make the Church look like the world. I have often thought that it does not appear any different than the world. But focusing on these things brings self righteousness which is as gross a sin as any; and not only that, not a true picture of Your Body.

You are the one that causes us to grow and You are the one that is always working to complete what You have begun in each believer. And as C reminded me, You are doing great and marvelous things in Your Body and many are testifying to Your faithfulness and love.

In this verse You say that you supply, nourish and hold together and unite Your Body by it joints and ligaments.
Joints (860) are a bond, connection and ligaments (4886) are “that which binds together, a band or bond”.

Our bond in the Body of Christ is through Jesus; His love and His forgiveness, His gift of righteousness, and His unending grace. All of these, as we learn to walk daily in these, are extended to other members of His Body, pouring out to them the fruit of His Spirit.
This is where peace lies, in the unity and love for other believers.

Seeing others and receiving them as God the Father does through the blood of His Son.
Not focusing on faults and failures, but on Jesus and what He has done for all of us at the Cross. That they are as loved and accepted as I am.

Thank You, Father for reminding me that You ARE doing marvelous works throughout the Body in the lives of so many believers.

But once again You return me of Heb 4:6-8 where King David is quoted by Paul:
“just as David also speaks of blessing upon the man to whom God reckons righteousness apart from works:
7 Blessed are those whose lawless deeds have been forgiven, and whose sins have been covered
8 Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will not take into account.”

My prayer today Father, is to open the eyes of my understanding that I may always remember that You are growing Your Church. You are preparing the Bride for the return of Jesus.
And You are the one that enables me to love as You have loved me.