Even in the Body of Christ, it is not how much we go to church, or how much truth we have…..life is found in Christ. When an individual receives the baptism of the Holy Ghost, that life must be nourished, it must be protected. If Christ is your life, then we can rejoice in the way and appreciate every Biblical doctrine that is opened up to us. That is why the baptism of the Holy Ghost is so important, and so important that we keep it alive.
“And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.” Colossians 2:19. We must be so careful in everything that we do. That is why we should not second-guess the elders. Every case must be dealt with carefully, so that Christ is not dislodged from being the Head.
If Christ is Lord and Master, it means we are His servant – slave. Life is in Christ, holding that Head in proper perspective. My will is to do His will. Colossians 2:19. There is not one thing we can do within ourselves to add one thing to the church. Paul could not add to the church – Apollos could not add one thing to the church. “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.” I Corinthians 3:6. For the Body of Christ to “increase with the increase of God,” as we touch Christ every day, Christ keeps growing. “When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” Colossians 3:4. Christ is going to appear only to those who have found Christ to be their life. “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.” Ephesians 4:13. How much are we filled with God? 50% ‑ is anyone doing 50% of the Lord’s will? Christ is to be found to be our life.
“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.” Colossians 3:1. “For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread.” I Corinthians 11:23. The Lord’s Supper. It is something being done in remembrance of Christ. A memorial service. We remember when we were united with Christ, as well as remember Calvary. Remembering when we were first identified with Him who gave His life for us.
“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.” Colossians 3:1. “O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?” Galatians 3:1. Paul blessed Christ, he did not preach a Body. He preached Christ so clear and so plain, as though He had been crucified right in Galatia or Corinth. We are not saved because we are in the Body, we are saved because of our relationship with Christ, and our maintaining our relationship with Christ.
“And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.” Colossians 2:19. If we hold the Head, all the joints come together in proper place. In our natural body, it is the brain that sends impulses to every member of our body. “How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.” I Corinthians 14:26. How could we hold the Head where it ought to be, and not be a part of Christ’s Body? When Paul went to Corinth and put these individuals in Christ, then they were automatically part of His Body. All the members are contributing to the common union they have with Christ.
“For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.” Romans 12:4-5. We are members of one another because we are members of Christ. The only way we can be members of one another, is if we are first identified with Christ. “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching, Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.” Romans 12:6-9.
The only way we can have life, is from our relationship with Christ, and then the members begin to act. “And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.” Colossians 2:19. Before my hand functions, the brain is sending life impulses through the nerve. Everyone is not going to feel like testifying at the same time, or giving messages in tongues at the same time, because as we hold the Head, it will touch different members at different times.
“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience.” Colossians 3:1-6. “O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?” Galatians 3:1. Paul absolutely made the identification of the people with Christ. They did not convert to the church. Life is in Christ.
“This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?” Galatians 3:2. What we received from Christ was in the exercise of faith. We believed. We cannot settle down in our carnality and get the job done. You can live quite a spiritual life in the flesh, but you must safeguard the Holy Ghost life. We must watch what we think, what we say, who we associate with, where we go, what we watch, etc. Christ is not in a spirit that is puffed up. The “nourishment ministered” by Christ, Colossians 2:19, is not always speaking in tongues, running the aisles, but it causes a person to hold their head up, when you feel like leaving. It develops patience, it eases hurts, etc.
“Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain. He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?” Galatians 3:3-5. Anything that is done in the Spirit in the church is done by those that have that right relationship with the Head. “My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you.” Galatians 4:19. It would seem like some of the members had had a stroke and their relationship with Christ had become numb. It is only as we have this relationship to Christ that we are profitable to the other members.
Those in the “Hebrew Hall of Fame” (the eleventh chapter of Hebrews) had their relationship with Christ right. They “Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.” Hebrews 11:34-38.
Our relationship with Christ must be first and foremost in our life.