Trying to Be the Body without the Head

​Many people today attempt to bring modern culture or ideologies into Christianity.  Many miss the point that God does not desire the culture of the world to be in His house, but for His culture to pour out from His house into the lives of His people.  This occurs when Christians submit to Jesus as the head of the church, the head of His body, and the head of each Christian’s life.  Each Christian plays a part in the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12; Romans 12:4-5).  No matter a person’s background or struggles, when a person is born again, they become a new creation in Christ and are now a part of His body (1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 4:16; Galatians 3:28).  When a Christian refuses to submit to the Word of God, the leading of the Holy Spirit, or allow Jesus to be their head as the Lord and Master of their life, they are attempting to be the body of Christ without the head, Jesus (Colossians 1:18,23; Ephesians 4:15; Ephesians 1:22-23).  Even in the natural, a body cannot live without the head because it sends signals to the body to keep the heart beating, the lungs breathing, and every organ doing its function.  The head brings life by allowing the messages sent to each organ and body part to live.  Jesus said He came to bring life and life abundantly (John 10:10; John 3:16; John 14:6; Romans 6:23).  Why do so many Christians believe they can live as the body of Christ without His presence in their lives?  The answer is the replacement of Jesus with their own desires, motives, and vision created from within themselves, which produces sin (Ephesians 5:3-7; Galatians 5:19-21).  Even Jesus states He did not come to the earth to do His own will but the will of the Father, God, Who sent Him (John 6:38; Matthew 26:39).  Some people want the label as a Christian but without the sacrifices of what it takes to receive the title.  To be a Christian is defined by following Jesus Christ in paths of righteousness, being a disciple of Jesus by allowing His words to change one’s life, and displaying love for Him by keeping His commandments (Psalm 23:3; John 6:68-69; John 14:15).  Christians should have the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:5; 1 Corinthians 2:16).  Even within the church, the Fivefold Ministers, including the pastor, are to be maturing the people as part of the body by submitting to Jesus Christ as the head of the church (Ephesians 4:11-16).  When people are led by their personal desires or motives, less of the will of God is accomplished, even by those who declare to be the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:17-24).  God’s people are to be the body of Christ, who are not only attached to Jesus as the head, but are commanded by His mind and desire to accomplish the will of God throughout the world (Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8).  Christians must get back to studying the Word of God on their own, being in prayer throughout the day, having regular consistent church attendance, living holy and clean lives, and doing what the Word says.  These are the fruits of being part of the body of Christ because He did these on the earth (Luke 2:46-47; John 8:31-32; Mark 6:46; Luke 4:16; 2 Corinthians 5:21).  May Christians submit to Jesus Christ as the head of the body and allow Him to bring life and life more abundantly, not only in the present but life to come.  For more information about Abundant Grace Church, visit agcsparta.org.