Power with Purpose!

The Situation

If you spend any amount of time at all looking at surveys and polls (www.barna.org) that are relevant to the Christian faith in America, it would seem that a lot American Christians are steadily slipping back towards the world from which they came. If we compare the body of Christ to a physical body we find some frightening possibilities, but we also find great hope in the future.

The Problem

A problem with part of the body can often effect the whole body. An example would be a toothache. Toothaches often demand almost total concentration in order to mentally manage the pain. Some are so bad that they can hinder our ability to take in food or drink. Because of one small part of the body, the whole body can suffer.

Some bodies have problems that exist throughout their whole lifetime due to disease or injury. A body that spends all of its time concentrating on its problems is not productive and does not serve the purposes for which it was intended.

We have seen the results of AIDS. AIDS affects the part of the body that promotes healing and regeneration by hindering its function. Could this be a physical description of the body of Christ in America today? Have we “played the harlot” and, “have gone the way of Balaam” (See Numbers chapters 22-24, IIPeter 2, Jude, and Revelation 2), until now, we have contracted a spiritual STD that does to the body of Christ exactly what HIV does to the physical body? And just as AIDS robs the physical body of its ability to heal, do those in the ministry that have the ability to bring healing, regeneration, and repentance through preaching and counseling find it difficult to do their jobs because the body is overwhelmed with sickness? Nugget: HIV is the hidden viral influence that remains unseen and can only be discovered through careful scrutiny and testing. AIDS is the outward, symptomatic manifestation of the disease. It cannot be hidden and, as of now, has no cure outside of the miraculous.

The Solution (Romans 12:3-5)

Rom 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
Rom 12:4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
Rom 12:5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

In order for the body to be healthy, the parts must work together to that end. We are each responsible (and will be held accountable) to God and the body of Christ to operate in our calling. If the hand goes on doing what the hand does without taking the time to use its talent to aid another part of the body, then the body as a whole suffers. Example, if your knee gets scraped, and the hands do not clean and dress the wound, then the knee can get infected and the whole body can suffer.
If the mouth does not do its part to consume food and drink for nourishment then the rest of the body starves: the whole body suffers.
If the mind only focuses on the gain of knowledge and wisdom, and does not use this knowledge and wisdom for the good of the body, then the body misses out on opportunities to grow and advance.
If the heart is selfish, then the body cannot take advantage of the reciprocation of good will.

(Matthew 25)In the body of Christ we all have been given talents. If we, as that part of the body that has been given that talent fails to exercise it then the body suffers.

We are each responsible for our function in the body so it is important that we understand:

1.What our calling is.
2.Receive conviction that our calling is important and must be accomplished.
3.Commit to our calling and allow it to be a priority in our lives.


The Result

The body can only be totally healthy and productive if all of the parts are healthy and productive.

When one part of the body is ill, some others may have the duty of trying to heal it, but there are times when we need a physician. The good news is that Jesus is still in the healing business. Not just for our physical bodies, but for our minds, our spirits, and hearts. We must seek the healing and seek to be whole. It starts with repentance for our individual shortfalls, and must include corporate repentance as a body. We must seek to honor the commandments to love God, and love our neighbor. In all this is the law fulfilled. Sickness has no stronghold when the body agrees in love and all of the parts are determined that the body as a whole will be healthy. It is in this spirit of unity that the body of Christ becomes (and stays) healthy, so that it doesn't have to focus on itself so much and it can reach out to others just as it was meant to. Thats our purpose and it comes with power.

What Can I Do?

Take the time to do a sober self-assessment. How much time am I spending in the pursuit of things that profit only me versus those things that profit the kingdom? Is repentance in order?

What is my calling? Have I taken the time to discover it, be convinced of it, and commit to it?

How balanced is my thinking? Is my heart focused inward to myself and my family, or have I taken the time to get the “big picture?”

Are my actions and lifestyle promoting health in the body of Christ? What are they demonstrating to the world?