Pastor Mike’s Blog

Most of us have never been under hostile fire.  But, we can read about those who have been in war together.  It usually creates a life-long bond.  Similarly, with the “battle” in the workplace, co-workers can bond through the tough times of layoffs and bankruptcies.  Common experience suggests strongly that deep binding and interdependence only really comes from being together in the struggle.

So it is with the body of Christ.  When I struggle in suffering and persecution, I am brought closer to God.  But, still I can’t and am not designed to go it alone without other people.  It is only in community with other believers that I can persevere through the tough times.  It is only in community that I participate in the suffering and persecution of fellow believers.  It is only in community that we can experience being in “battle” together.

This is what forms the body of Christ: adversity.  We must pray for courage and strength in adversity and not to avoid it.  Adversity strengthens and toughens the body, and brings us closer to each other and to God.

Those writing from a fresh perspective on Paul claim that Paul’s thinking is influenced by his understanding of the communal aspect of community.  Theologian Mark Biddle, arguing from a biblical understanding of sin, also argues for community.  The connotation of sin, according to Biddle’s book, Missing the Mark, is bigger than modern minds grasp.  It includes 1) the act, 2) the guilt of the offender, and 3) the consequences of the act.  He goes on to say that sin is organic: my sin ripples out into the world and effects you; your sin ripples out and effects me.  The sin of those who have gone before us continues in the world and we are born into it, and we add to it.

Sin builds up (Gen 15:16).  My sin, then, effects the body of Christ.  While there is an aspect of my sin that is between me and God, the consequences of my sin spread much further.  God can and does forgive my sins, but usually the consequences remain, and it effects the entire body of Christ and the world.

Conversely, good deeds–keeping Jesus’ commands to love God and love neighbor–ripple into the world.  The smallest good deed I do can effect you and the smallest good deed you do can effect me.  And, the good deeds can mitigate the spread of sin.  In some cases, my actions can absorb the effects of sin.  “You have heard it said, an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.  But I say to you…turn the other cheek” (Mt 5:38).  Jesus tells me to absorb the wrong, to bear the cost of antoher’s wrongdoing…as he did on the cross for us.

Sin is a corporate affair.  Keeping God’s commands is a corporate affair.  We are a community within the body of Christ and, as humans, we are a community within the larger created order.  No man is an island…

We have been talking about the body of Christ.  By the use of this metaphor, Paul intends that Christianity be practiced in the context of communal relationships.  It is not just that Paul comes out of a Near East culture where community is a high value, it is that we are created in the image of a Triune God; community–Father, Son, and Holy Spirit–has existed for eternity.

Ephesians 4:11-13 talks of God creating some of us as apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers.  Why?  Paul makes it clear: 1) To equip the saints, 2) so that the saints can serve (minister), for 3) the building up of the body of Christ.

Commentators, speaking of the gifts in Romans 12:6-8, note the implication that the gifts are for building up of the body of Christ.  Again, in 1Corinthians 12:27-30, we see the context of gifts is the body of Christ.

What can we make of this.  From within our culture of hyper-individualism, we are tempted to view a spiritual gift from God as “my gift” for “my ministry.”  Not so.  Paul clearly states that the gifts are for building up the body and should be used as such.  These gifts are not so that we can run off and independently engage in ministry; we are part of a larger organism: the body of Christ.

Do you know your spiritual gifting?  If not, join us on Stewardship Super Sunday, Apr 20.  sign up for the class on spiritual gifts.