We have been approved, and know to speak.
Brethren,
Knowing that Colosians 1:18 declares that": CHRIST, is The HEAD of The BODY,
the church, Who is The Beginning, The FirstBORN from the dead, that in all things HE may have the preeminence.
["How do you feel, "about being a member of "The BODY of CHRIST?"]
Honored? - Privileged?"
“The BODY Of CHRIST,”
Beloved, is a mysterious phrase used more than 30 times in the New Testament." The apostle Paul settled on this phrase as an image of The CHURCH of CHRIST." After The LORD ascended to HEAVEN, HE turned over HIS mission of "Loving and Caring" for the lost Soul's of humanity, to flawed and bumbling, men and women, like ourselves." Our LORD, JESUS CHRIST, assumed the role of HEAD of the church, leaving the tasks of arms, legs, ears, eyes, and feet, while HE is "The VOICE" that speaks through us, to people we meet. And HE assures us, that it's by our LOVE for one another, that all will know that we are "HIS disciples." And HE is The HEAD of Believer's, like you, and me." And HIS decision to operate as the invisible HEAD of a large BODY with many parts, means that HE will rely on us to help others cope during times of trouble and suffering." Thus, the apostle Paul must've had something like that in mind when he wrote by inspiration of The SPIRIT," 2nd Corrinthians 1:3-6. Consider how it reads:
Blessed be The GOD and FATHER of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, The FATHER of mercies and GOD of all comfort, Who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by GOD.
For as the sufferings of CHRIST abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through CHRIST. Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and SALVATION, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and SALVATION.
[Brethren,
“[GOD] comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in who are trouble, with the comfort which we ourselves are comforted by GOD."
For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of CHRIST, so also, our comfort abounds through our LORD JESUS CHRIST.”
"For HE has not left us orphans."
[So all through his ministry, the apostle Paul put that principle into practice, taking up collections for famine victims, dispatching assistants to go to troubled areas, acknowledging gifts from Believer's, as gifts from The LORD HIMSELF."
And so, GOD would have us know that the phrase “The BODY of CHRIST,” expresses well, what we are called to do." For James 1:22-25 affirms that we are not simply to be hearers of The WORD, but doers, by saying: But be doers of The WORD, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
For if anyone is a hearer of The WORD and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in the mirror, for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be Blessed in what he does.
Right!" We will be Blessed in doing the work of an evangelist, and representing what our LORD JESUS CHRIST is like, by caring for those who are in need of a "SAVIOR, and REDEEMER."
Beloved, I offer this prayer of appreciation and gratitude to CHRIST, our LORD, because HE first LOVED us, and cared about our SALVATION."
Dear LORD, Thank YOU for always being FAITHFUL to comfort us who embrace YOU - The WORD of The LIVING GOD."
or we, being "The BODY of CHRIST," know that we have been Blessed not only to Believe." But also, to suffer for YOUR NAME sake."
Thus, we know to LOVE one another, and care about the needs of others." Yes, by providing encouragement for them, by sharing The GOOD NEWS of "Everlasting LIFE," by Trusting in the finished work of The Cross of CHRIST, our LORD.
For there is a great number of people, who need to hear about YOU today."
Brethren,
Because our LORD'S "PRESENCE" in our lives brings us comfort; "HIS "PRESENCE" in our lives should also bring comfort to others. So GOD help us, Beloved, to LOVE, as Brothers.
AMEN?"
For this commandment we have from HIM. But those who refuse to do so; 1st Corrinthians 13:1-2 speaks pointedly to them, saying: Though I speak with the tongue of men and of angels, but have not LOVE, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all FAITH, so that I could remove mountains, but have not LOVE, I am nothing.
[With that said, Beloved; "What is one, who has not LOVE?" With that thought fresh in our mind, I ask you to consider this passage of SCRIPTURE from 2nd Corrinthians 13:5-6 that gives us this exhortation, saying: Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the FAITH.
Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that JESUS CHRIST is in you? - unless indeed you are disqualified.
But I trust that you will know that we are not disqualified.
[Right!" We will know that we are not disqualified, because 1st Thessalonians 2:4 assures us that we have been approved by GOD to be entrusted with The GOSPEL to speak, not as pleasing men, but GOD Who tests our hearts.
Yes, we will know that we have been approved by
JESUS
OK