Building Up The Body of Christ

Sunday’s epistle lesson is Ephesians 4: 1-16. Paul continues to teach the Ephesians about how to live into a common life as the body of Christ. God continues to widen the circle of believers—through Jesus Christ, both Jew and Gentile claim the name of Christ--and the tensions of difference strain their life together.  Paul calls for a deep humility, a mature faith, and a grounding in love so that what is shared in the midst of the differences builds up rather than tears down.

I think of the current state of our nation and our church. Words that hurt are hurled with alarming regularity. Some claim a moral superiority over others. Others claim the “truth” with a warriorlike orientation rather than through actions that are invitational and instructive.

We need to reclaim the lessons of Paul, who reminds us that God has woven diversity into the Christian community—it is a necessary element if the body of Christ is to be whole and vibrant:

“But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love.” (Ephesians 4: 15-16)

Is your congregation living into this truth? Are you welcoming the variety of gifts each person brings into your shared life and ministry? Is your expression of faith marked by “humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love”? (Ephesians 4:2)

I read a tweet today that offered wise instruction on how to live this out: “Every person you meet in an expert in something you most likely know nothing about. Let them help you broaden your horizons.” (@QueerEye on Twitter)

When you go to church, open yourself to the wisdom around you. Watch and see how God is working in the lives you may have overlooked. Listen to the wisdom of someone you may have dismissed. This is how we grow together. This is how unity deepens. This is how the Body of Christ is made visible in our world.