Colossians 2:17: “Which are a shadow of the things to come, but the body is of Christ.”
Ephesians 4:16: “Out from whom all the Body, being joined together and being knit together through every joint of the rich supply and through the operation in the measure of each one part, causes the growth of the Body unto the building up of itself in love.”
1 Corinthians 12:27: “Now you are the Body of Christ, and members individually.”
Christ is not only the Head of the Body but also its reality. Colossians 2:17 reveals that many things in the Old Testament were shadows, but the reality belongs to Christ. As members of His Body, we partake of this reality by abiding in Him and allowing Him to fill and saturate us with Himself.
Ephesians 4:16 describes how the Body grows and builds itself up in love through the operation of every part. This growth occurs as each member remains connected to the Head, Christ, and functions according to the measure of grace received.
1 Corinthians 12:27 emphasizes that we are individually members of the Body of Christ, yet our identity and function are found in the context of the whole Body. Living in the reality of the Body means rejecting individualism and embracing the corporate expression of Christ.
The Spirit is the reality of this Body. As we live in the Spirit, we experience Christ as the Head and the source of life, and we are built up with others into a living organism that expresses His fullness on earth.
Thought of the day/Main Points:
– Christ is the reality of the Body, which is His corporate expression.
– The Body grows and builds itself up as each member functions in grace.
– Individual members find their identity and purpose in the context of the Body.
– The Spirit is the reality of the Body, enabling us to live in oneness with Christ and one another.
– Living in the reality of the Body rejects individualism and embraces the corporate expression of Christ.
Prayer Confessions:
Lord, thank You for being the reality of the Body.
Keep me abiding in You as the Head and source of life.
Help me to function in grace and contribute to the growth of the Body.
Teach me to reject individualism and embrace the corporate expression of Christ.
Build me up with others into a living organism that expresses Your fullness, Amen.
