Tim's Blog

Fullness of Christ

Pastor Jim's sermon this weekend was impactful (plus he was really funny.) It was a reminder if the importance of community growth. Ephesians 4 says, "From him (Jesus) the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work." The body builds itself up. I don't build myself up and let you build yourself up. Pastor Jim concluded reminding us that our relationship with Jesus is personal, but not private. It was never meant to be private. We are meant to grow together, and I would venture to say that we cannot grow in isolation.

Since we are meant to do this together as a body, Paul goes on to give a lot of practical advice in Eph 4 about how to get along together. "Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. "In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." That is part of the supporting ligament that holds the body together.

Is experiencing the fullness of Christ then dependent on other people? Is it dependent on the people who I don't understand? Is it dependent on people I don't get along with? Maybe that's part of experiencing Christ. Maybe that's part of dying to ourselves.

How then do I build up the people around me? What is my part in this body? What's yours?

posted by Tim Oas @ 11:02 PM