YOU ARE A PART OF THE LIVING CHURCH
"To the Church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the Name of Jesus Christ..." 1 Corinthians 1:2(NKJV)
BIBLE READING: ACTS 9:4-5; GALATIANS 1:13; 1TIMOTHY 3:15; 1PETER 2:5
The Church of our Lord Jesus Christ is essentially the Body of Christ and is so much more than just a social club or an organization. Contrary to the aforementioned misplaced notions, the Church is a Living Organism out of Whom Zoe, the Divine Nature, and the Very Life of the Lord God Almighty Himself, emanates fully (Acts 20:28). In other words, the Lord Jesus Christ manifests His Very Life through His Body, which is basically what we as Authentic Christian believers are. On this premise, what basically qualifies us to become a Fundamental Part and Parcel of the Church is the Life of the Lord God Almighty Himself that we all share in common.
When the Lord Jesus taught His Disciples during the Last Supper, saying that He is the Vine while we are the branches (John 15:4-5). He was establishing a rather Rudimentary yet Profound Principle: The branches can not bear fruit FOR the Vine but rather the Vine bears fruit THROUGH the branches.... Simply put, the Life that is resident or domiciled within the branches derives its Origin from the Vine. Therefore, the latter must always remain connected to the Former in order to remain Fruitful. The Primary Reason the Church, Which is the Body of Christ, is Alive is simply because Jesus Christ the Head Himself is Alive (Jn. 14:19). The Head and Body are not separate but are One and the Same in Essence since they share the Same Life, which is constantly flowing through both of them.
The Body of Christ or the Church of Jesus Christ has Two Major Dimensions in Expression:
(1.) The Church is an Organism: (1Tim. 3:15) This is apparently True from the LIVING Perspective. As stated in the Fifth Chapter of the Gospel according to Luke, the word "new" is derived from the Greek word "Naos" which literally means in the English Language "Fresh and Brand New" (vs 38). This refers to the Quality of Life we possess in Christ Jesus.
(2.) The Church is an Organization: (1Cor. 14:40) This is clearly evident from the STRUCTURAL Perspective. That is what the Holy Bible means when we talk about the New Wine being stored within New Wineskins (Lk. 5:38). On the other hand, the word "new" in the phrase "New Wineskins" is derived from a different Greek word called "Kainos" which literally means in the English Language "Renewed" which refers to the Structures and Systems that sustain the Life. May the Lord God Almighty enlighten our eyes to this Truth as we constantly walk with Him always and at all times.
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the Privilege of serving You, the Only True Living God. O Lord, please unveil to us the Fullness of the Living Church, which is the Body of Christ in Jesus' Mighty Name. Amen.