River of Life Church

What does it really mean to be a Christian? We’ve all heard people describe themselves as Christians that seemly have no evidence of Christ being in their lives. Others consider themselves members of a church even though they haven’t attended in many years. But my question is, if I am a Christian and not functioning as a part of the Body of Christ or desiring to be apart of other people’s lives, am I really a Christian? And what does it mean in practical terms to be ‘a part of the Body of Christ?’

The Apostle Paul places his exhortation about how all of us are a part of the Body of Christ, in 1 Corinthians 12, in the middle of his teaching on the gifts of the Spirit. This begs the question, “Am I a part of the Body of Christ if I am not functioning in the gifts of the Holy Spirit?” In Ephesians 4 Paul speaks about being mature, joined and held together by every supporting ligament. Is it possible to be a ‘Lone Ranger’ Christian? What if I attend church on a regular basis and tithe on my income, does that make me a part of the Body of Christ? Are there nonfunctional parts of the Body of Christ?

But here is the most important question: “What would a church look like where every person who was a believer was operating in their giftings and abilities? How healthy could it become? How powerful could God work through it? How completely could needs be met? Is it true that God has placed in every local church all the gifts and resources that it needs to completely fulfill its purposes in a community?

How about this question: “Does Satan know far better than we how powerful a local church could become if every member began to function in their giftings? Is that why he works so hard to make people feel they have no gifts, or feel their gifts are insignificant, or feel they are not appreciated? Is that why Satan tries to confuse people about what their gifts are, or seek to cause jealous and envy among giftings, or sows offenses and discord to keep them from all working together?

Maybe we should ask ourselves as members of River of Life Church: Just how dysfunctional are we?!

How about you, do you know that God has gifted you with certain gifts that if acted upon would make you feel significant and useful in His Kingdom? Have you found a place that gives you joy in serving and giving? Are you involved in an area of ministry out of duty, rather than gifting that is sapping your joy and energy? Or, are you AWO? Is serving others through your gifting a regular part of your life? Are you connected in a meaningful way with other members of the River?

So many questions! Well I’m going to try to answer some of these in the next couple of weeks as we look at what the Bible has to say about a place in the Body of Christ. I hope and pray you will consider your situation be in attendance the next few Sundays.