Christ is the glue that binds the crew.

We often talk about being the ‘body of Christ’ when living in community down here. But what does that really look like?

In the scriptures we read that Jesus told his disciples “I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.” – 1 Corinthians 1 10-12

To live incarnationally is to live ‘God with meat on’ (in carnare – Latin means to make flesh). We become a Part, and therefore we are many parts forming the one Body. Everything that happens to you, the Part, effects the other Parts somewhat and then the whole domino effect occurs in the Body. If you have ever owned a bike or a car, you will know that one puncture leaves you immobile!

Living in community is fun, but challenging. There are occasions when we face arguments, disagreements or confrontations. The Parts experience discomfort and testing. But what is lovely about the Body of Christ is that we are accountable to each other – so one Part, being blessed in intercession, will rise to the occasion defending fragmentation by addressing the lack of peace; one part blessed in discernment may been watching it all unfold quietly before it erupted and tried protecting the Parts; whilst another Part blessed in prophesy may see ahead to the effect this chaos will have on the Body’s ability to function fully in its work and at the same time coming out with something to say that is rather direct and shocking!

The end result of chaos in the Body without peace is lack of cohesion or disunity. And lack of cohesion is strangely painful to the Parts. There’s danger here too, as the enemy lies waiting for those moments of pride, rebellion and isolation, that; lack of cohesion and disunity that opens the door for possible attack.

I suppose what I mean to say is that love covers a multitude of sins – living in and applying qualities of love is what we called to do – that is, being patient, kind, rejoicing with the truth, protecting each other, trusting each other and hoping, keeping no record of wrong and always persevering (1 Cor 13:4)

It is only by living in love that the cohesiveness of Christ is found in the Body and only then can our community truly benefit from our presence.

Sylvia