BODY LIFE

Just as each part of the physical body has a role to play so that it functions well as a whole, each member of the church has a part to play for mutual edification.

                                                                       

It’s good to hear out what others have to say before forming an opinion on a subject. Let everyone contribute his or her piece so that, eventually, we all can benefit.

No one has the monopoly of truth. Neither can anyone lay claim to the fact they are infallible. That is why before presenting a comprehensive discourse on a controversial subject, it is worthwhile to seek the views of others through research and/ or social media. Once we have sought various viewpoints from our Facebook friends, we are able to give a more well-balanced, less biased, less parochial view on a subject.

                                                                     

For example, before I wrote on the earthquake in Nepal (http://goo.gl/AZnRky), whether the disaster is NATURE’S WRATH or GOD’S JUDGMENT, I knew it was important to tread carefully as I may miss some important perspectives which others might have; or I may carelessly step on some sensitive toes.

Everyone tends to be opinionated by virtue of their upbringing—family or religious background—and exposure to different schools of thought. We think we are right until another viewpoint is presented: “The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him” (Proverbs 18:17).

So it’s good to hear out what others have to say before forming our opinion on a subject. Let everyone contribute his or her piece so that we can all be mutually edified.

“What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up” (1 Corinthians 14:26).

Apollos, a Jew, was a learned man, well-instructed in scriptures. He fervently preached in the synagogue. However his message was incomplete. He knew only the baptism of John—nothing about Christ’s crucifixion, resurrection or the power of the Holy Spirit that fell on believers at Pentecost. When tentmakers Priscilla and Aquila heard him preach, “took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately” (Acts 18:24-28).

Though Apollos was a teacher, he was humble enough to be corrected by the unassuming tentmaker couple. Surely there was little evidence of this attitude: Who do you think you are to point out my weaknesses?

Undoubtedly, each member of the body can teach, edify and encourage one another.

• “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God” (Colossians 3:16).

• “Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:25).

• “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love” (Ephesians 4:11-16).

This is the essence of ‘body life’. Every believer who recognises the enabling of the Holy Spirit is able to minister and impart life to others within the body (2 Corinthians 3:5-6).

Letting others air their views also reflects open-mindedness and impartiality. “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere” (James 3:17).

RELATED POSTS

NATURE’S WRATH OR GOD’S JUDGMENT?

Do you think the recent earthquake in Nepal is God's warning to its people?

http://goo.gl/AZnRky

WHAT BEING OPEN-MINDED MEANS

More than ever before we need to be like the Bereans in our approach to understanding the truth. Like a parachute, our mind works only when it is open.

http://bit.ly/Nlc8cT

DISAGREEING WITH GRACE

How can we be positive about disagreement?

An issue can be seen from so many different angles. No one can possibly see eye to eye with another on every issue. As such, those who are saved by God’s grace ought to demonstrate grace towards those who disagree with them.

http://bit.ly/1f0Rqav