A Change of Our Priorities

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When we begin to grasp the awesome importance of being a part of the great Body of the Anointed One, the Christ, the Messiah, our understanding of the reason for our existence begins to change. We perceive we are an integral part of the one Body, most of whose members at any given time are in the spirit realm. We all are growing together, I believe, and shall be made perfect together at the coming of the Lord Jesus from Heaven with the holy angels.

(2/13/2005) I have been on the subject of the Body of Christ for several weeks. The concept keeps expanding in my mind.

The Apostle Paul reminds us that the Christ, the Messiah of God, consists of a Head and a Body. This does not mean that the members of the Body are equal to the Head in many instances. We were not with the Father from the beginning and did not create all things. People do not pray to God in our name. No one is baptized in water into our name. Jesus is Lord and the Father has made Him so. This fact is established for eternity.

Having thus safeguarded us from the error of thinking that Jesus is but one member of a many-membered Messiah, or Christ, we can continue to emphasize how utterly important it is that we are members of this illustrious Deliverer who will come down from Heaven and establish justice on the earth.

What is man that You are mindful of him? In the case of God’s elected royal priesthood, man is an indivisible part of the revelation of the invisible God. He is the chariot of God, the eternal temple in which the fullness of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit shall dwell forever.

It ever has been God’s plan to have a dwelling place through which He can govern and bless His creatures. To do so from the temple in Heaven has not proven to be satisfying to the Father. He wants to come down among us, and that is the reason for calling out the Church from the ranks of mankind.

How wonderful to be a part of God’s eternal Temple? This concept is to assume first place in our thinking.

When we pray for gifts and ministries of the Holy Spirit we will receive them. Then they are to be guarded and nourished, being given the place of first importance in all that we are and do, twenty-four hours of every day.

What a transition this is from the concept of being a member of a Christian church! We are that, but so much, much more! At all times we are serving the Body of Christ, as well as all people with whom we come in contact, as the very Presence of God.

We all are to be witnesses of the living Christ. We bear witness primarily by what we are. When we are filled with the Spirit, the people around us can sense this. Some will reject Christ. Some will begin to glorify God in us; and in some instances we may be able to lead them to Christ. Or maybe just be a friend, or a counselor. The Spirit always will guide us if we keep looking to Jesus for wisdom.

A prayer: "Lord today—right this minute—cause me to be thinking God’s thoughts; to be speaking God’s words; to be acting as God is acting. By your infinite glory, make me the representation of Your Being, just as our Lord Jesus is."