In Christ, we are not alone; we are united by the Holy Spirit, by the priceless blood of the lamb who was slain.
In the past, I have been guilty many times over of being a spiritual loner. I have isolated myself many times, thinking that I know more than other Christians. I would think that I don't need others' council becuase I have more godly wisdom and discretion than they do. This is nothing but rubbish. This mentality is nothing but Satan's wiles at work within me.
We are a united body in Christ. The ear does not run off from time to time and hide in a corner and listen to his CD player. He wouldn't even be able to hear! No, the ear must remain attatched to the Head, or if he does decide to run off somewhere, he is no longer a part of the body.
The Lord is transforming my mind, it's what He does. I now look at every man and woman believer as a brother or sister in Christ. I feel so much closer with these believers knowing I am their spiritual brother. So many times in the past I would feel tempted to look at a beautiful girl believer with lust. But now? In the Spirit, I know that any beautiful girl believer is my spiritual sister. I no longer look with lust, but I love her with the love of Christ.
Oh, that God would open our eyes and allow us to see how precious His body really is! He wants to present His body spotless and blameless before God unto His glory! This will come to pass shortly. The victory is already won!
The body, how glorious is His body! We should all be of the same spirit, of the same mind, in the body.
Romans 7:4
Wherefore, my brethren, ye are also become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to Him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.
Wow, we are to be married to Christ! Fruit will come; lasting, eternal fruit will come. May we constantly abide in Him, and may His word continue to abide in us!
1 Corinthians 1:10
Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
In the body, we all have the mind of Christ. If this is the case, let us live it in the power of the Spirit. Let there be no dissention in the Lord's church. Let's ask of God to unite us.
Colossians 2:2
That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ...
Our hearts should be knit together in love. So what will tear us apart? Namely, dissention, envyings, disputes, anything related to the flesh. Even if this is the case, the Lord will reveal this unto us.
Colossians 2:19
And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God...
I used to be so confused when I would hear, "Our Father, who art in Heaven." I had much trouble with this verse. "Lord, I don't understand this prayer; why 'our Father', and not 'my Father'?" Many times I would actually change the prayer to 'my Father'. The Lord recently revealed to me why it is 'our Father'. We are a body! We are united in Christ! He's not mine, but He is our Father. We are family! Only a selfish and snobby son would declare "Daddy's all mine!" We all should be selfless sons and daughters of God Most High.
So here's an interesting question. Does the body of Christ grow? In numbers, of course, even daily. But does His body grow, as a child grows strong? I need to ask the Lord for wisdom in this matter. Right now though, I believe that we grow into His fullness and He is formed within us. We become one with our Lord just as Jesus was with His heavenly father. Wasn't part of Paul's ministry to present every man perfect in Christ Jesus? We continually grow in Him, and He is continually formed in us...sanctification. The outward man perishes day by day, but the inward man is constantly strengthened and renewed. Hallelujah! How glorious is this body of Christ! May He enlighten the eyes of your understanding so that you may understand how amazing it is to be a part of His body! Imagine if you were to ask someone to be your left leg. Let that sink in. What a privilege, to be apart of His glorious body!