Some Assembly Required!

There are two connections being simultaneously created by the Lord as we walk with Jesus. Both are of the Spirit, and both are important. Without these, we wither and die.

The first is primary, our connection with Jesus, the head of the body, the risen and eternal Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ. Without this connection, we are dead, not regenerated.

This connection with Jesus is our lifeline, the source of eternal life. He is the One who said to his disciples, “Because I live, you shall live also.” This is not a blanket promise to every human but was made to those who believe in Him, those who are his followers. This lifeline exists by means of the Holy Spirit. “If any man has not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His.” His eternal spirit is breathed into us when we are born again.

Individually, we become a living temple of the indwelling Spirit, created to offer up verbal sacrifices of prayer, praise, and intercession. Sacrifices are what routinely occurs in a temple. A temple is a holy place where sacrifices are offered to God. A temple is a house of prayer. Individually, our body is a temple designed for this. (1 Cor 6:19)

Is your body an empty vessel? Is God’s fire burning on the altar in your temple?

For this reason, each of us needs to be baptized in the Holy Spirit. This is a gift beyond repenting and being saved. (Acts 2:38) When I received the Holy Spirit and began to speak in tongues, prayer became easy. Worship became enjoyable. Without the Spirit overflowing through us, it’s difficult to walk in the Spirit yet alone pray in the Spirit, prophesy by the Spirit, or sing in the Spirit. Performing verbal sacrifices of praise are now delightful.

The second divine connection is with one another. This mutual connection is often misunderstood, neglected, or ignored. The church is people. The church is not a building but a body of people. The church is not an organization, but a living organism. There is an old country song with the words, “Just me and Jesus. Don’t need nobody else.” This is not true. We need one another. We were saved to love and be loved, to serve one another. Another old gospel song says, “Give me that ol’ time religion. It makes me love everybody.” This is why small groups and house churches serve God’s corporate purpose so well.

Jesus pours his love into us. The love of God gives us power to love one another, making this relational connection possible and enjoyable. Apart from the love of God within us, you wouldn’t like me, and I wouldn’t like you. But God’s grace overflows in us so we can gather in fellowship and share our gifts with one another.

The love of God is holy oil. It lubricates parts in the body of Christ so there is less painful rubbing, less friction, more forgiveness, more grace, more appreciation of each other and mutual honor, so that we enjoy walking side by side.

Prior to Pentecost God’s people were a congregation but not a family. A family has now been formed by the Holy Spirit- “Christ Incorporated.” We are his body. The scriptures have many verses that highlight the miracle of the body of Christ. For example, “We who are many are one body in Christ and individually members one of another.” (Romans 12:5) We are joined to one another under Christ’s five leaders (Eph 4:12), loved and adopted into his family. 

 Ronald Wood

Speaker | Author

 Touched By Grace

Fayetteville, AR

 www.touchedbygrace.org