Monday, October 11, 2010
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Proverbs 9-11 & 2 Corinthians 6
THANKFUL SUBMISSION – Submission to the Church
Ephesians 4:3-7 (NIV); “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called—one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.”
As a body, we are ONE UNIT. The person whose hand you shake when you walk through the door may be a foot, the stranger you sit beside could be a vein, the person who welcomes your child to the nursery could be a finger. When we think of it this way, it makes sense how hostility within the church causes damage and brokenness. We all know what physical pain is to some degree. When we treat others at church with resentment or contempt, it clearly will bring pain to the body. We need to uplift and befriend one another. It is important to stay in the church lobby some weekends after the service, or to come early and mingle. It is vital to get involved in volunteerism and to join a cell. As Christians, our primary relationships should be with other believers and those are generally formed within the local church. For some people, these suggestions to unity grate the nerves and shake the core, and if that is the case, then we must WILL ourselves to do them. Every weekend, ask the Lord to give you a challenge for that morning at church and watch Him carry you through and draws you closer to Himself as you obey Him.
PRAYER & MEDITATION
1. Do the words you just read irk you? How come? Ask Jesus to show you why this is important.
2. Are you dissatisfied with the church? Ask Jesus what you need to do to deal with this and to get over your inhibitions.
3. How have you neglected the body? Ask the Holy Spirit to show you and ask Him to help you open yourself up to change.
4. Ask the Spirit to show you ways that you can submit yourselves to the body this weekend at church. How does He want you to encourage the body by stepping outside of your comfort zone? (I.e. Talking to people in the lobby, inviting someone for lunch, etc.)
