Being the Body of Christ

Today we talked about the practical side of being the Body of Christ. Most of us accept the concept of praying for or encouraging one another. And many of us understand the concept of practical help with finances, food, rides, childcare, etc. Most of us readily sign up to reach out and help.

But what about when we are the one who NEEDS help? That is usually where the difficulty comes. We don't ask. We believe that we should not need help. We believe that if we do need help then it is our fault so we shouldn't ask someone else to help "clean up our messes." We also believe that if we need help it is a sign of immaturity. Lies. All lies.

In Acts 2:41-47, read how the early church lived together in community:

All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper and to prayer. A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

They lived in community--sharing, giving, receiving with no one being more or less than anyone else. Apparently, the norm of the day was learning to walk in the Spirit of Christ and exhibit His fruit in relationships--

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. Galatians 5:21-22

Paul wrote about carrying one another's burdens. He exhorts the church in Galatia to "carry each other's burdens" and that "each one should carry his own load." While that might seem like a big contradiction, I think it is simple and clear. We are not to be purposely lazy and let others do for us while we sit by and watch, but there are times when we cannot carry a burden by ourselves, nor should we.

We are, as believers, to be people who live like we belong to God. That means putting off the old way of independence and self-sufficiency and then humbly acknowledging that we agree with God when He says that we need each other.

So the next time you need help, ask. In doing so you will be obediently glorifying God by living as He intended those in His Church to live!