The Body of Christ or a Cheesy Sci-Fi Plot?

This is not going to be a well written post.

I'm not going to sit back and think of the best way to say this, or research which Scripture would best fit to make it interesting and motivating. My thought process will not be well organized and you're lucky that spell check shows up in bright read- otherwise there would be a lot of those mistakes as well as the grammatical ones I'm sure you'll find. I'm merely going to write from the passion which is erupting from my heart right now...

Why do we, as Christians, not act as though we are one in Christ Jesus?

We have our own little groups (cliques) too much: Denominations, preferences, age groups, interest parties, factions, ethnic, social status, learning style, and minute theological idiosyncrasies. Because we try so desperately to group together with those "like" us as opposed to those in the body of Christ we have found the Christian church to be disabled. Instead of working together for God's greater glory and the spreading of joyous Good News, we are instead licking the wounds of our dis-formed bodies. We look rather like a B-rated sci-fi film: Attached heads rolling around, bodies made of nothing but legs, arms, eyes, and other singular pieces. If we are lucky there might be a body with arms and legs, but no head. One of Head, heart, and eyes, but no legs. We are incomplete. And we suffer for it.

Now don't get me wrong. I love the body of Christ. That is why I'm so distressed. I'm burdened heavily with her well being! I see groups hurting and longing for help that is right there for them- if only they would reach out beyond their "ritual". God is not going to leave you alone to suffer without encouragement and others to gather in prayer around you- But, you have to reach out to them!

Not all churches are completely broken either. There are many healthy ones all around. But many of them still have to struggle with the burden of those who should be helping, not requiring the same basic needs over and over. It makes me think of what Paul said to the Hebrew people in Hebrews 5:11-14 :
 ¹¹ We have a great deal to say about this, and it's difficult to explain, since you have become slow to understand. ¹² For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of God's revelation. You need milk, not solid food. ¹³ Now everyone who lives on milk is inexperienced with the message about righteousness, because he is an infant. ¹⁴ But solid food is for the mature—for those whose senses have been trained to distinguish between good and evil.

Why do we portray to the world that we despise one another so?

When we refuse to get along, that is what the world sees. Jesus said that the world would know we are His disciples by the love we had for one another. John 13:35 So how does this work together? Does this mean we are not truly His disciples if we don't show love for all our fellow Christians? Not just those in our local body and those in another country we'll never have to meet face to face here on earth?

Are there churches that are Scripturally wrong? Yes. I'm not saying that we assume they love God with all their heart, soul, strength, and mind (Luke 10:27) just because they have Church tagged on to their organization, or happen to be in the same "denomination" as us. We have to actually take the time to listen to them, discern through the Spirit, and care. Then we will know. And this is on a very individual basis. But let me tell you, if many people you talk to from a particular church are very much in love with Jesus Christ and seek to follow Him, OR if they are full of... "...sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy,  outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar, about which I tell you in advance—as I told you before—that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God."  Galatians 5: 19-21

We need to care about one another. We need desperately to support, uplift, encourage, correct, and hold one another accountable. This needs to be done both to those you already love and to those around you. Reach out.

  ⁷ Again, I saw futility under the sun: ⁸ There is a person without a companion,  without even a son or brother, and though there is no end to all his struggles, his eyes are still not content with riches. "So who am I struggling for," [he asks,] "and depriving myself from good?" This too is futile and a miserable task.

    ⁹ Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts. ¹⁰ For if either falls, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to lift him up. ¹¹ Also, if two lie down together, they can keep warm; but how can one person alone keep warm? ¹² And if somebody overpowers one person, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not easily broken.

Ecclesiastes 4:7-12

Hovering Blobs

A few years ago Pixar came out with the sweet and futuristic movie WALL-E. The main character, WALL-E, is a robot who was left on the garbage ravished earth to clean up while all humans took a luxury 5 year space cruise. The only problem is that it is now the 700th anniversary of that 5 year cruise, and although life has recently become sustainable again on the ground, the ship's main computer (the first mate) has top secret orders to never again return since life on earth appeared hopeless when they left.

Over time, the humans aboard the ship have all begun using the hover chairs originally designed for the elderly. All they do is sit there, drink all their meals - and multiple snacks - through straws, and find ways to entertain themselves. They basically have become bored, hovering blobs, only following the most basic of instincts. They are immature.

Hebrews 5:11-6:12

The Problem of Immaturity

 ¹¹ We have a great deal to say about this, and it's difficult to explain, since you have become slow to understand. ¹² For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of God's revelation. You need milk, not solid food. ¹³ Now everyone who lives on milk is inexperienced with the message about righteousness, because he is an infant. ¹⁴ But solid food is for the mature—for those whose senses have been trained to distinguish between good and evil. 

Warning against Regression

 ¹ Therefore, leaving the elementary message about the Messiah, let us go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, faith in God, ² teaching about ritual washings, laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. ³ And we will do this if God permits.    ⁴ For it is impossible to renew to repentance those who were once enlightened, who tasted the heavenly gift, became companions with the Holy Spirit, ⁵ tasted God's good word and the powers of the coming age, ⁶ and who have fallen away, because, to their own harm, they are recrucifying the Son of God and holding Him up to contempt. ⁷ For ground that has drunk the rain that has often fallen on it, and that produces vegetation useful to those it is cultivated for, receives a blessing from God. ⁸ But if it produces thorns and thistles, it is worthless and about to be cursed, and will be burned at the end.
    ⁹ Even though we are speaking this way, dear friends, in your case we are confident of the better things connected with salvation. ¹⁰ For God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you showed for His name when you served the saints—and you continue to serve them. ¹¹ Now we want each of you to demonstrate the same diligence for the final realization of your hope, ¹² so that you won't become lazy, but imitators of those who inherit the promises through faith and perseverance.


Do you imitate faith and perseverance? Or are you re-crucifying Christ by reading everyone else's opinions and interpretations on the elementals of the Gospel while still trying to make up your mind. Have you stood up for the Bible? God's holy Word made flesh in the person of Jesus Christ? John 1:14 Trust me, there are plenty of opportunities to defend God's Word. So many books today try and twist the Scriptures to fit their purposes. The problem is, you can't know the Scripture's to confirm or refute these statements unless you have studies the Word itself.  No, not someone else's thoughts on the Word, but the Word.

Studies, commentaries, and topical books can be great tools when we need a little help, but never - I repeat... never - let them replace Scripture.

Here's a test: How much time have you spent in the last week reading only the Bible? Now, how much time have you spent reading other material about the Bible?

Whose "Word" are you leaning on?