We Are the Body of Christ (Part 6)

"Christ's yesterday was the accomplishment of redemption,--His tomorrow is the having His Church with Himself in glory. But He is a living Christ for today."  - G.V. Wigram

In our discussion last week, we touched on our redemption. This being, of course, the redemption of our souls, the pardon of our sins, and purification from unrighteousness. This is attributed to the blood of Christ shed on the cross for sinful man (Revelation 1:5).

There was no other way. The ransom for our souls could not be paid by silver and gold as was commonly paid for human ransoms. The redemption of a soul requires much more than this. The blood of Jesus Christ is the only price of man's redemption.

The careful thought of our redemption should serve as a constant reminder and powerful motivator to holiness, and the fear of God. The apostle Paul, in his message to the Galatian churches, introduces this important doctrine to them.

They had lost sight of this great truth and had embraced other teachings that inclined to confuse, or even render it void by Judaizing teachers. This was especially aimed at  the great truth that people can be justified only by faith in the blood of Jesus.

Paul wanted to make certain that they (the body of believers) did not forget that Christ gave himself as a great sacrifice to make atonement for us; for our sins. A result of this was to rescue us from the present evil age (Galatians 1:4).

This was not only to redeem us from God's wrath, and the curse of the law, but to reclaim us from the corruption, and perverse practices and rituals which naturally oppress and shackle us (Galatians 1:3-5). There's another element to our redemption that needs to be mentioned, if only briefly.

It is imperative that the Church not be content to simply rest on their redemption by Christ. There is still much work to  be done. We must continuously strive for spotless purity, absolute perfection. In other words, perfecting holiness, not only before men, but before God, as well (2 Peter 3:14).

Our Lord will suddenly return to us, or quickly call us to him.  Are you prepared for this? We must take advantage of his gracious patience in his delay and seek peace and holiness without delay. Only the persevering and upright Christian will be the joyous Christian when this glorious day occurs.

In case you have doubts about being able to sustain yourself during this time, don't worry. We have been given provision to maintain us through our obedience in spirit and practice, by which we demonstrate our fellowship or communion with God.

Those of us who choose to follow this show that they know God, have received the Spirit of God, and have the divine image firmly stamped on their souls. We resemble each other, loving the same God, adopting the same views, and living for the same purpose (1 John 1:7).

One last point. We must never lose sight of the fact that it is in and through Christ that God is revealed to the world as the only omniscient God. He is the wisdom and power of God, or the glory through Jesus Christ.

As such, every bit of glory that passes from sinful man to God, so as to be acceptable to Him, must go through the hands of Jesus Christ. For only in him, and him alone, are we made pleasing to God (Ephesians 3:21).

And now we have arrived at a proper stopping point and need time to let everything sink in. Thank you for sharing this time with me. I look forward to meeting next time as we continue our discussion of the glorious church!

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 16:28-29; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; Romans 8:28; Colossians 1:20; 2 Corinthians 5:21

Prayer: Dear Lord, inspire us to live every day in wonder and appreciation of all that is around us, and may your love, manifested fully in Jesus, your Son, surround us this day and always, amen.

May the Lord bless,

Shawna