Jesus welcomed the people, taught them about the Kingdom of God and healed those in need. Luke 9:11

Seeds of the Kingdom

The Body, in God’s eyes

by Joan Rono

For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into[a]one Spirit. For in fact the body is not one member but many
1 Corinthians 12:12-27, NKJV

We have a multitude of denominations, each formed for different reasons, which includes disagreements and differences in interpretation of Scripture and doctrine.
The one thing that remains the same is how God sees His church. We can easily become focused on our different denominations and churches rather than focused on what the Lord sees.

As I worked through a jigsaw puzzle I was amazed when to find a piece which looked so different I couldn’t imagine it fitting into the same puzzle. But, as I worked my way putting the pieces together, there it was fitting in perfectly!

After I finished and looked at what I had done, I saw a beautiful picture, perfect with nothing missing. A thought came into my mind, and I believe it was inspired by God. This is how He sees His Church, a big beautiful picture. Not because we’re perfect, but because it’s Jesus’ blood which makes as one.

The way we see the Church is not clear. It’s like looking at the pieces of a jigsaw. Each piece looks so different and distorted in shape. Sometimes we even wonder how this or that piece can possibly be part of the bigger picture. But God is the architect of the Church, and knows exactly where each piece belongs, even if we can’t see it.

God has a purpose for each part of His body. Through many parts we have different functions, but the same Lord and head. This is the view we should see, not our differences. We’re the body of Christ, because ‘for as many as have received him He gave the right to be children of God’. Nothing more! That’s what we are, children of God, and members of His body, gathering in different places to worship Him.

We should search our hearts in times when we’ve been judgemental of other believers because of denomination, or because they understand a verse of the Bible differently from the way we do. We should ask the Lord to help us to see through His eyes, and not our own.

I’m amazed to see that God uses anyone who yields to Him, despite personal limitations, denominations or beliefs!

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for dying on the cross and birthing Your Church. I’m sorry where I’ve been judgemental, and ask You to help me see Your Church as You see her, and not my vague way. I want to see, through Your eyes, the beauty of Your Church, and how unique and important each member is. Amen.

Joan Rono has been involved with Ellel ministries since 2008,working at Ellel grange for 5 years before moving to Ellel Blairmore in 2013 to work as hospitality coordinator. Having walked the Healing Journey, Joan has a passion to see others healed and transformed. She also has a passion to see young people walk in purity and holiness. She enjoys walking and reading in her spare time.

 

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