Can I talk to all my close and distant friends today about failed supplies. As I sat down to write today, I heard the question, "What happens when members fail to supply?"
Eph. 4:16 ... the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
Look at this:
- every joint
- effectual working
- making increase of the body
- edifying itself in love
The body of Christ is made up of many members according to according to I Cor. 12:1-26, but still only one body. Members that the Lord has chosen to set within the body as it pleased Him.
Christ is the head according to Eph. 4:15, and we the body according to I Cor. 12. The head is always the control center for the body, as within the natural body God has set the brain, the member from which all intellect (wisdom, understanding), motor abilities, speech abilities and such flow. But the head is resting upon the shoulders of a body, that has many members (organs) to make it complete and able to function.
The head of the body of Christ will never have a burn out day, worried and depressed, confused, or selfish desire day. It will always and forever supply perfectly. So we never have to be concerned about the head giving it's supply. But what about the members of the body?
This is where I come to the question, "What happens when members fail to supply?" Members of the body outside the head himself.
The body of Christ is a living entity. It is not just an idea in the earth, but many may believe that if they never see the body supplying, or moving and speaking properly in the earth. They may even see the body of Christ as monster like, ugly, mean; or they could see it as sad, weak and pitiful.
It will be according to each of our supplies as to how a lost and dying world is introduced to the body of Christ. Are we representing the head 'Christ Jesus' as paralyzed and helpless? Weak and to be pitied? Mean, ugly and undesirable? Without wisdom, understanding or compassion? How are we reflecting Christ to a lost and dying world, who is headed to an eternal hell?
Have we allowed our failed supplies to warp Christ appearance. Have we failed to represent him properly because of a dragging leg which refuses to supply from rebellion, or is sick and will not allow the head to offer a healing supply to it?
Have we walked with drooping arms or weak knees for the same reason? Have be been silenced (became speechless) by offenses, or paralyzed (unable to move about the earth) by fears?
When members fail to supply the body is not represented properly, nor can it offer others what they need. Every member must offer strong healthy supplies. They must offer their proper supply. It is important that each member gives the supply of which it is designed and places by God.
For an example: If a foot gets wrong signals and believes it is the hand it will be trying to grasp instead of support.
Not only would this be dysfunctional it would also frustrate the hand, and hinder the works of the body. And with all that dysfunction and frustrating ... maybe even warring, a lost world looks on and walks right past us with no interest in becoming a part.
If a vital organ of the body such as kidneys', liver, heart, or lungs fail to offer proper supply it can cause the body to become weak, sick or diseased and if proper care is not given and received the who body begins to suffer from it and the body may die. It is possible that an vital member die and be replaced by another that God offers to fit in, but the body has still suffered a great blow, as the lost world looks on.
Now I have offered all of this as a word picture based on the physical body in parallel to the body of Christ (which is the church). But what happens in a church when a nursery worker fails to show up? When they fail to supply or supply properly? The children in that body as well as the parents are hindered from growing spiritually and families my leave the church.
What happens if the praise and worship leader shows up, but never offers a proper supply? What if they came in and because of wrong signals believe they are to teach and preach instead of praise and worship? The anointing is hindered and the pastor and people suffer. Leaving a very dry presentation of what God intended to be comforting and refreshing, because the Praise leader offered the wrong supply.
What happens if a greeter tries to oversee the children's departments instead of man the door and greet the people? New people do not feel welcomed, and the older miss being embraced. Not to mention the member offering the children's supply becomes frustrated and then moves in that class incomplete.
And of course if the Pastor does not give proper supplies the whole body suffers from top to bottom. It would be like a body without a skeletal form, trying to function. As they are the ones who set the flow and send the orders.
No one, not even the Pastor (who is highest authority) of a church is without accountability to this lost world. Each of us are intended and responsible to offer a supply according to the position which we are set.
If you have have received wrong signals and tried to set yourself in the body instead of allow God to set you ... open up to the truth of God's Word and Spirit and let him re-set you.
If you are hurting today, if you have been offended or abused in some way, if you are sick ... allow God to heal you so you can function properly in the place he has set you.
If you are fearfully paralyzed and not able to function allow the Spirit of faith to rise up in your and get you moving so that they body is not lacking from your supply.
We are ONE BODY ... We are THE BODY OF CHRIST ... Let's work together in unity, with every joint supplying. Let's represent a strong, healthy, wise, loving body which is flooded by light to a lost and dying World!
