PROMOTING LOVE AND HOLINESS IN THE BODY OF CHRIST

EVERY WORD OF GOD FOR DAILY LIVING BY PASTOR PAUL RIKA:
INTERNATIONAL DIRECTOR Holiness Revival Movement Worldwide

TITLE: PROMOTING LOVE AND HOLINESS IN THE BODY OF CHRIST

SATURDAY, AUGUST 14th  2021

TEXT: 1 Corinthians12:12-14
12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
14 For the body is not one member, but many.

Key verse:  Ephesians 4:3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 

The body of Christ here talks about different people who believe in one Person (Christ), one faith (Christian Religion), different functionality gearing toward one goal (Heaven), defending one course (the Gospel), dead into one purpose (Baptism), regenerated into an experience (Salvation), which is the Born Again experience, forgiveness of sins, and newness of life that is achieved through the (Holy Spirit) by our Lord Jesus Christ.  If this is clearly understood, then love and holiness needs to be promoted among the members of the body of Christ so as to foster unity in Christendom.

Today, the division, segregation, hatred, sectionalism, and denominationalism are so alarming that even the heathen don’t have such among them. Remember; Jesus the unifying factor that binds His believers together says He is coming back for that same body that is one in mind, one in faith, one in fellowship, one in love, and one in holiness and righteousness.  No wonder He asked His disciples, shall I find faith when I shall come back? Therefore, the church must arise in defence of this body by promoting love and holiness among its members irrespective of the denomination, size or number and popularity. For grace is not equally poured on all. Efforts must be made by great church leaders, the clergy and the laity alike to see that this division existing in the body of Christ whether in hatred against one another or in doctrine or in competition comes to an end immediately; for we have one common archenemy, the devil.

The calling, consists of the grace or anointing upon members of the body of Christ is not the same, so for unity to be achieved every functional member must submit, co-operate and respect one another in love, just the same way the physical body which consists of many members work together before a man can be seen as one body. If one member of the physical body has a challenge, malfunctions, refuses to work or is in pain, the whole body could be said to be sick and the body cannot stand on its feet. Every Christian, church leader and various denominations should know that united we stand and divided we fall; and heaven which is the goal of every Christian will be far from reach. Go on your knees today and pray for the unity of the church.

Thought for the day: United we stand; divided we fall.

Song for the day: By and by when the morning comes, when the saints of God are gathered home, will tell….

Bible reading for the day: Psalm 99-102; Romans 13