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Body of Christ

Submitting to One Another

by Esther Griggs August 21, 2020

written by Esther Griggs

In a culture of “my life, my way”, submitting to anyone or anything is a foreign concept. Our day is not so different from Paul’s day. The Spirit of Jesus confronts people with truth. To help establish them in the truth, He gives some to be teachers. Paul teaches practical things such as what relationships should look like in this new creation where Jesus is Lord. These concepts clash with the prince of the power of the air; He whose deceitful tactics show up as “my life, my way”. Paul teaches how relationships as a new creation differ. Jesus is Lord. There is a submitting to one another in marriage with husband and wife, in the family with parents and children, and in the workplace.

In Marriage

Marriage is God’s idea and shows up in Genesis. “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” Marriage is to be a picture of Christ and His church. Jesus as the groom and the church as His bride. There is a submitting to one another in the fear of God. Love and respect are the order of the day. It flows as each individual lives under the Lordship of Jesus. It is an ideal in which God tests our hearts and motives as He completes all that concerns us in Him, through mercy and grace.

In the Family

When the marriage foundation is secure on the rock Christ Jesus, family life can offer a place of safety for children to learn and grow. When our children were little, my husband would say “do as you are told so that your days may be long.” It is actually biblical. The first commandment that came with a promise was “honour your father and mother that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” When children rest secure in the family’s love, where there is no provoking them to anger, but a loving nourishment within their instruction, God brings His peace and His joy into the situation. It rests not only with children in the home but also as parents age, there is mutual respect and honour toward each other. God promises success and long life as the reward.

In the Workplace

Paul addresses servants and masters. There was no equality. It was oppressive. The closest I can relate to it, however, is in the workplace. As Christians, there is One Master over all. The Christian Master submits to Christ. He realizes his position of authority under submission. The Christian servant works to please Jesus as Lord. Not just to please the boss and look good, but obeying Christ at the heart level. The Christian servant works to please Him. God sees it all and rewards the good.

“My life, my way” no longer exists. Jesus is Lord. Darkness has gone, the Light has come. There is a submitting to one another in marriage as husband and wife, in the family with parents and children and in the workplace. Jesus is Lord.

August 21, 2020 0 comments

Bible reflection Body of Christ new creation

What Should It Look Like Now?

by Esther Griggs July 24, 2020

written by Esther Griggs

Paul speaks to the Ephesians, a mix of Jews and Gentiles. They are born anew to a life of right living, set apart for God. Paul continues to instruct them how to put off the old man and put on the new. Things have changed. What should it look like now? They are part of one another, one body in Christ, sealed by the Holy Spirit, and it looks different.

My brother Jim baptizing my husband Dave into newness of life in Christ. — *My brother Jim baptizing my husband David into newness of life in Christ.*

One Body in Christ

His readers are now part of a body. One’s actions affect the whole. Self-centred living no longer reigns. So don’t be telling lies, half truths, fibs; tell the truth instead. When you are angry, deal with it before you go to sleep. Take it to God in prayer. Leave it with Him. Don’t allow room for the devil to get in. In addition, don’t be a thief. Work hard at good honest labour to make enough money so you can help those in need. Finally, watch what you say. You want to build up the body of which you are apart, not tear it down. Every word counts.

Sealed by The Holy Spirit

As a redeemed people there is a seal, a promise of eternal life. It is the life of the Holy Spirit within us. Paul tells his readers not to grieve Him. Awareness of this sacred life entwined with our own demands honour and respect. It is the Spirit of the Lord Jesus. Live your life in such a way that does not weary or sadden Him.

It Looks Different

What should it look like now? They are part of one another, one body in Christ, sealed by the Holy Spirit, and it looks different. To those in Christ who have received, “beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness”, life has changed. Therefore, put off, throw away, cast off; futile, destructive behaviours. Paul writes of them. Get rid of all bitterness. When it takes root, the devil can use it to defile many. It doesn’t hurt just you, it also hurts those around you. It weakens the body of Christ. Don’t entertain wrath or anger. Loud quarrelling and speaking evil don’t belong here. Malicious, hostile behaviour has no place.

Meditate on Jesus. Think about His dealings with you. Treat others the same way. Be kind, tenderhearted and forgiving. What should it look like now? They are part of one another, one body in Christ, sealed by the Holy Spirit, and it looks different.

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.” Psa. 19:14.

July 24, 2020 0 comments

Bible reflection Body of Christ unity

Why the Gifts?

by Esther Griggs July 10, 2020

written by Esther Griggs

God, rather than by fate or chance, lives on purpose. His love drives all that He does. For example, Jesus came to earth to defeat Satan’s power over us through death. When He conquered, He returned to heaven. However, He did not go without giving to His followers, gifts that would enable His work to continue here on earth. He gave gifts to believers to equip the saints, enable growth and promote a body of love.

Equip the Saints

Paul quotes Psalm 68:18 but rather than “received gifts” he puts “gave gifts”. When Jesus returned to heaven as the victor, unlike human victors, He gives rather than receives. His loving purpose identifies what is necessary for His ongoing work to thrive. As a result, He gave some apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers. Believers with certain endowments are the gift. You and me, equipped with what God has given to us, are the gifts to His body, the church for its success.

These gifts are essential. How could this body grow without those who would lay the foundations of truth? What if there were not any to spread the truth as a seed to take root and grow? Where would the sheep be without a shepherd to lead and guide, to instruct and strengthen as they find pasture?

When Jesus ascended to heaven, His Holy Spirit descended to empower His people for the nurturing of the church; His body. In this manner, He could equip the saints for the work of ministry.

Enable Growth

Paul uses the example of childhood. Children without tender care are at the mercy of lies, fads, and deceptive instruction. The same happens in the body of Christ. With those who will speak the truth in love, people endowed with gifts from Christ, babes in Christ can grow up into all things, and experience the fullness of God through Him who is the head, which is Christ.

A Body of Love

Within the human body, all systems work as one unit for growth. Even mechanisms for healing are part of it. Paul uses this example for the body of Christ.

I can imagine an ear or a little toe growing abnormally. Perhaps there are underdeveloped fingers or poor eyesight. How sad it is when the body malfunctions. So it is in the body of Christ. We each need to fulfill God’s call and purpose. The gifts He has given need expression and encouragement. By the power of His Holy Spirit, as we each do our part, we grow together just as the body does. We must build one another up, do it all in love, and then see what marvels God will do through His body!

July 10, 2020 0 comments

Bible reflection Body of Christ Paul the Apostle

A Steward of Grace

by Esther Griggs June 19, 2020

written by Esther Griggs

Saul was a deeply religious man. He clung to the laws and traditions of the Jews. He saw the advancement of the new sect as evil until the day Jesus confronted him. Then everything changed, even his name. Paul became a steward of grace. He could not keep to himself the things he received from God. His encounter with the resurrected Jesus came in power, through revelation and with purpose.

In Power

Jesus stopped Paul in his tracks. It wasn’t “Hi Paul, I’m Jesus.” No it was a powerful encounter. There was a bright light. He was blinded and then healed. He had a conversation with the Son of God. That conversation resulted in a complete turn around in the life of Paul. It was however only the beginning.

Through Revelation

Paul had much to learn. He also had much to unlearn. In his letters he declares it came through revelation. His understanding of the truth came directly from the Spirit of truth. It was not second hand nor was it through someone else’s interpretation.

With Purpose

God is also a God of purpose. Everything He does has intent. He reveals to Ananias, the first Jesus follower sent to Paul, the purpose He has for Paul. He would take the gospel to the Gentiles. In addition he would take the good news of Jesus to Kings and the children of Israel. Paul’s life became about fulfilling that purpose. His missionary journeys took him to the Gentiles with the message of salvation.

God chose and built up the nation of Israel. Nevertheless His eyes looked beyond to the stranger and the alien and wove it into the laws of Israel. Still His disciples needed His direction, to understand that the good news wasn’t just for them. It was for the Gentiles as well. Paul proved to be a major player in the transition. His teachings aid not only in the understanding of the oneness of the body through Jesus but many other things as well. I for one am so thankful for Paul’s teaching.

June 19, 2020 0 comments

Body of Christ

One Body

by Esther Griggs June 12, 2020

written by Esther Griggs

Paul continues to write to the Ephesians regarding their new life in Christ. In Ephesians 2:11-22 he discusses how God through Jesus, unified the Jewish and Gentile believers to create one new body. The one new body would be a place for God to live through the Holy Spirit. In Romans, Paul speaks of the Jews as a tree and the Gentiles as being grafted into that tree. In 1 Peter, Peter writes about a spiritual house in which we are living stones with Jesus as the chief cornerstone. Both illustrate the unity of the body. Paul admonishes the Gentiles to remember who they are, what Christ has done for them and the result.

Who They Are

The Gentile believers came in cold so to speak. They did not have the great history of God’s deliverance from Egypt. The ten commandments and instructions on how to be God’s people was given to the Jews. To them belonged the thrilling stories of God’s great wonders, as God established them as a nation. King David, the prophets who foretold of the Messiah, the priests and the tabernacle all came from the Jews. They also had the promises of God. The Gentiles were strangers to all these things. They did not share the family stories, nor the rituals and traditions.

What Jesus Did

Jesus brought them near. When once they had no hope and were without God, Jesus shed His blood to make them part of the family. He took away all the commandments the Jews relied on. Being in relationship with God no longer meant a list of rules and adherence to certain rituals and traditions. Jesus destroyed the wall of division. Through His body on the cross He made one way for all mankind to be reconciled to God.

The Result

As a result, believers in Jesus, are no longer strangers, or foreigners. They are fellow citizens, saints, and members of God’s household.

The apostles and the prophets, through the leadership of the Holy Spirit, built a foundation for the house. Jesus is the chief cornerstone. As we are being built up, upon this foundation we line everything in our lives up with who He was and is . Peter talks about living stones, how Jesus was a rejected stone, but God chose Him and to Him He was precious. We together with Him are becoming the spiritual house for God to dwell in by His Spirit.

We are no longer homeless strangers out on a cold night looking through a window. Now as one family, reconciled to Father God and one another, we sit together around the table, enjoying the warmth of the Spirit, and share the stories of what Jesus has done for us. Then we break out into singing our praise.

June 12, 2020 0 comments

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