God Has Called Us According to His Grace

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver

It is God "Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began" (2 Tim 1:9).

God is the personification of grace. God is giving. He is benevolent. He is abundant in lovingkindness. He is gracious. The manner in which God saves and works with men can be seen in this word: “calling.” God is not imposing His will upon men when He saves them. He is not forcing men to follow Jesus but will judge them on the basis of their acceptance of Jesus. And so, He calls them. God doesn’t use gimmicks, He calls. He doesn’t use a bait and switch strategy, He calls. God doesn’t want disassociated, ignorant men who are obeying religious traditions, He wants willing participants. So, He calls, and men respond. 

Called by the Gospel. The calling of God is an announcement of the work of Christ and an invitation to repent and believe the gospel (Mk 1:15). The calling of God is a declaration that Christ has made peace between God and men by abolishing the enmity that existed between them by sin. He “came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh” (Eph 2:17). The gospel is the call of God for man to draw near by the blood of Christ; that access is granted to those who believe on Him who justifies the ungodly. 

God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth; whereunto He called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14)

Grace is Divine Provision. Grace speaks of a gift from God to men in order to help them obtain the everlasting prize. Men have fallen further than they would like to imagine by sin, but the call of grace brings them higher and closer than they can imagine, by Christ. Sin put them in a situation where they could not come to God, know how to come to God, or even seek God. They were altogether defiled, corrupt and dead in trespasses and sins. But where sin abounded in this distance from God and moral corruption, grace abounded all the more. Everything that sin did is abundantly undone and overcome by the provision of grace. Our calling is in accord with this great victory. Jesus is mightily destroying the works of the devil. Sin has been shown to be utterly sinful. Grace has been shown to be sufficient.

The calling of God is a gift from God that was not earned by men. The calling of God is a provision of God that no one else could provide. Where God has not called men, they have simply joined an organization and lifestyle. But where God HAS called men, He enables them to do what they otherwise could not do. Men have come to God because God has called them. And in His calling, God was not responding to the works of men but acting in accord with His own person and purpose. He is gracious and so His calling is in accordance with grace.

Grace Came by the Divine Man. This grace is given us in Christ Jesus. God has always been gracious. But He has always been gracious in view of the provision of Jesus Christ. If God hadn’t purposed to give us Jesus before the world began, He would not have been merciful and gracious prior to Jesus being born of a woman. The grace of God is in accord with the work of Jesus, and the work of Jesus is in accord with the grace of God. 

And so, while God had shown His grace to men in sundry times and in diverse manners in time past, He has now poured it forth abundantly by Jesus Christ. For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwelt bodily and of His fullness we have all received and grace for grace. “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ” (Jn 1:17). The requirement was laid down by Moses but the ability to comply and understand God came by Jesus Christ. “He hath declared Him” (Jn 1:18). Jesus has come and preached peace to us. He has manifested to us that life and immortality are available and found in Him. God has called men according to His grace which is in Christ Jesus.

God's Accepts No Man's Person, But He Does Accept Jesus

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver

But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me; God accepteth no man's person;) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me. (Galatians 2:6)

When it pleased God to reveal His Son in the apostle Paul, the apostle did not immediately confer with flesh and blood or go to the other apostles (Gal 1:15-17). He rejoiced in His salvation and enjoyed intimate fellowship with Jesus. He did not need any man to accept him, for God Himself had accepted him in Christ. And he did not need any formal training in ministering the word, for God Himself gave him grace to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ. Let it be said of you and I what can be said of Paul: his acceptance by God and the strength of his ministry is of Jesus Christ.

An Acceptable Person. Really, God only accepts one man, the Man Christ Jesus. Jesus is God's elect, God's chosen one. Jesus is the "one chosen" from among the brethren (Ps 89:19). He is the "Just one" (Acts 22:14). Anyone desiring to be accepted by God must find his way to Christ Jesus. "No man cometh to the Father but by Me" (Jn 14:6), Jesus said. Salvation is an enterprise in which "[God] hath made us accepted in the [Christ]" (Eph 1:6). 

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ; according as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love; having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the Beloved. (Ephesians 1:3-6)

We are accepted in Christ because Christ is accepted by God. In Christ we have come to be recognized by God Himself. The issue on the judgment day will be whether or not God knows you. But being known by God is not accomplished by trying to make a name for yourself. No one can climb the religious ladder to a place where God is suddenly impressed. What is actually required is that men humble themselves and become of no reputation. The key to acceptance with God is being found in Jesus, not having your own righteousness which is of the law by works but that which is of God by faith in Christ (Php 3:9). 

Acceptable Ministry. Men, even the most advanced men according to the flesh, can add nothing to the minister of Christ when it comes to serving God. Not even one's own flesh can help him. What men "bring to the table" is irrelevant and must be cast off of said table. All ability to labor in God's field is supplied by God Himself. God is the one who chooses and ordains to ministry. God places each member where He desires in the body of Christ. God is the one who supplies seed to the sower. God is the one who reveals the truth, gives boldness to preach it and opens up the door of opportunity.

Men desiring to be great in the kingdom of God must forsake all of their earthly and selfish ambitions and enter into the ministry of the saints. They must become the servant of all (Mk 10:44) comforting, consoling and encouraging the brethren of Christ (Mt 25:40). They must keep and teach the commandments of the Lord (Mt 5:19). Then they will be great, then they will be called children of the Most High God. When they bow to the Lamb and follow Him whithersoever He goest, then they will become able ministers of the new covenant. If any man wants to be a benefit to God's people he must deny Himself and join Himself to the Lord. As many have well said, "it is not WHO you are, but WHOSE you are."

Conclusion. Our acceptance is of Him. Our election is in Him. Our ministry is empowered by Him. Our preaching and teaching must manifest this truth. Let it be our aim and our desire to clarify this truth to one another: that we are accepted in Christ. Praise will rise up to God; prayers will be more fervent and faith will come as we meditate on this good word from God.

The Gospel of the Resurrection - Part 6

A WORD FROM THE HOMELAND

10-20 minute messages concerning the world to come, the Christ that will bring us there, and the glorious inheritance of the saints

The Gospel of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ

Part 6

"He Rose the Third Day According to the Scriptures"

For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures; and that He was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve; after that, He was seen of above five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, He was seen of James; then of all the apostles.

(1 Corinthians 15:3-7)

Tremble, Thou Earth, at the Presence of the Lord

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver

When Israel went out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange language; Judah was His sanctuary, and Israel His dominion. The sea saw it, and fled; Jordan was driven back. The mountains skipped like rams, and the little hills like lambs. "What ailed thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest? thou Jordan, that thou wast driven back? ye mountains, that ye skipped like rams; and ye little hills, like lambs? Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob, which turned the rock into a standing water, the flint into a fountain of waters." (Psalm 114)

Man is the prized creation of the Lord. In the hierarchy of earthly creation, men are at the top. They have been given dominion and are created in the image of God Himself. And though, a little lower than the angels, they will be crowned with glory and honor. God has made men His place of habitation and in His working with them, in them and through them, He has most clearly and thoroughly manifested His glory.

Judah Was His Sanctuary. The Lord was with Judah; He was residing with Israel. This is the experience of believers. There is no power in the people themselves. The reason the earth was getting out of the way so Judah could leave Egypt, escape from Pharaoh, and be sustained in the wilderness is because God was with them. They were His sanctuary; His place of residence. If God was with them, it did not matter who was against them.

Creation Saw It. The Red Sea fled from Judah and Israel. The Jordan River was driven back. The Mountains and hills trembled and skipped. The rock became a fountain of waters. The God of Jacob was near and the earth and the sea and the rivers responded. Creation was and is aware of God's working in some capacity. Here the text says, "the sea saw it and fled." When God is carrying out His purpose and someone or something is in the way, they will either move or be moved. For, "none can stay His hand" (Dan 4:35) and "no purpose of [His] can be thwarted" (Job 42:2, NASB).

The King and His Kingdom. "The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein" (Ps 24:1). God is a King that does as He pleases and there is no end to His reign. Jesus, even in His humbled state, drove out demons, calmed the sea, raised the dead, cursed the fig tree, turned water into wine, walked on water, and fed the multitudes. He was actually tempted by the devil to turn a stone into bread...because He could. This was all a manifestation of His "God-ness" and that God is the ruler of all creation.

If He is bringing Israel out of Egypt then the sea will flee, the rivers will stop, the rocks will produce water and bread will come up from the midst of the ground. If He sees fit to judge men, then the earth will open up and swallow them, the heaven will pour forth fire and brimstone to consume cities or He will cause rain to fall for forty days and nights to consume all flesh. He can cause the rain to cease, the sun to stand still, and darkness to pervade the land at noon. He can cause a storm to rise on the sea, a fish to swallow His prophet and then spit him back out. He can make a donkey speak, a priest to go mute and a mountain to tremble. This answers the questions about where "natural disasters" come from. "If a calamity occurs in a city has not the Lord done it?" (Amos 3:6, NASB).

The "natural world" is at God's disposal and He uses it according to His purpose and good pleasure. The Earth trembles at the presence of God for it is subject to His will. Is there any limit to what the Lord can do? Is there any cause for worry or fear among God's people. Truly the Lord can do all things - even manipulate the earth to fulfill His purpose. 

Think about this and in faith commit your prayers unto the King of Glory. Order your prayers aright and anticipate great working from the Lord. It is His manner to make a way - when there is no way. He is the God of impossible.

The Gospel of the Resurrection - Part 5

A WORD FROM THE HOMELAND

10-20 minute messages concerning the world to come, the Christ that will bring us there, and the glorious inheritance of the saints

The Gospel of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ

Part 5

"He Was Buried"

For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures; and that He was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve; after that, He was seen of above five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, He was seen of James; then of all the apostles.

(1 Corinthians 15:3-7)

Maintaining a Heavenly Mindset - Part 2

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. (Romans 8:5-7, NKJV)

THE FIGHT OF FAITH. Maintaining a heavenly mindset is another way of saying that we walk by faith. And walking by faith is a fight. It is called in Scripture the good fight of faith. Flesh and the natural man always sets his affection downward to the earth and a result he walks about in uncertainty, anxiety and confusion. Jesus commissioned His disciples to go and preach and promised to provide for them along the way. “And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind,” He said (Lk 12:29, KJV). It was and is, no doubt, a fight to abstain from a doubtful mind but yet it is a very necessary fight. The way to victory in the fight of faith is filling your mind with the promises of God and maintaining a focus upward, yea, God-ward. For if our souls are to be anchored in heaven, where God is, we must set our hope there and thereby we will not be moved far from it (Heb 6:19).

Faith has to do with persuasion. Specifically, being fully persuaded of that which is unseen. To walk by faith is to be “convinced” in your own mind (Rom 14:5). Faith is able to see Him who is invisible (Heb 11:27) and be more convinced of Him than of those who are visible. And as it is stated in the Scripture “faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God” (Rom 10:17). Having a heavenly mindset is being more convinced about heaven than earth. It is seeing the world to come as the primary world and this present evil world as an obstacle to overcome. For those who “set their mind on earthly things” (Php 3:19) prove themselves to be “the enemies of the cross of Christ” (Php 3:18). So while a heavenly mindset will make you a misfit here, it will put you in fellowship with those who lived by faith before you.

These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them. (Hebrews 11:13-16)

Those who live by faith will never be satisfied with what they have here. They know there is something better and they, by faith and patience, seek to inherit it. And until then, they must fight so as to not be distracted from their calling. They must maintain this heavenly mindset.

TAKE EVERY THOUGHT CAPTIVE. This is a serious matter. If we forget about God, forget about heaven, forget about our inheritance, we will cease striving to obtain them. Heaven must always be in our sights. With ardent zeal we must fight so as to not lose control over what our minds entertain. While we cannot escape the fiery darts (wicked thoughts) of the evil one, we can extinguish them with the shield of faith. While we cannot prevent corrupt thoughts from entering our mind, we can cast them down as soon as we recognize them. Now is time to take up the whole armor of God and wage war.

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:4-5)

Peter exhorted those dispersed throughout Asia to “Gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ”(1 Pet 1:13). Prepare your minds! Fix your hope completely on the coming of Christ! Be not lulled to sleep by the vain thinking and thoughtless culture of the day. Come up higher! “Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature” (1 Cor 14:20). 

To be mature in our thinking will require that our minds are saturated with the word of God. “Be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets,” Peter urged (2 Pet 3:2). Remind one another of what God has said and of what God has done. Dwell on these things. Speak about them often. “Remember His covenant forever, the word which He commanded, for a thousand generations” (1 Chr 16:15).

Give ear, O my people, to my law; incline your ears to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old, which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children, telling to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and His strength and His wonderful works that He has done. For He established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which He command our fathers, that they should make them known to their children; that the generation to come might know them, the children who would be born, that they may arise and declare them to their children, that they may set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments; and may not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation that did not set its heart aright, and whose spirit was not faithful to God. (Psalm 78:1-8)

Do not forget the works of God. Do not forget His commandments. Do not forget His word. Rather, dwell on it day and night. Blessed is the man whose “delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper” (Ps 1:2-3).

EXHORTATION. “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things” (Php 4:8).

This will not be easy and it will not come without a fight. The flesh will hate dwelling on heavenly things but the spirit will be quite willing. When you can say with Paul, “I see another law in my members, waring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members” (Rom 7:23), remember that God can give grace so that you may have the victory. Salvation itself, and the new mind, is able to overcome the cares and distractions of this world. Salvation in Christ is a sort of refuge that aids you in this battle for your mind. Of this salvation the prophet said,

In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah: “We have a strong city; God will appoint salvation for walls and bulwarks. Open the gates, that the righteous nation which keeps the truth may enter in. You will keep in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” (Isaiah 26:1-3)

Maintaining a Heavenly Mindset - Part 1

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. (Romans 8:5-7, NKJV)

THERE IS A NEED FOR THIS. Temptation begins with a thought. The very first recording of the wiles of the devil reveals that he labors to deceive and tempt us by attacking our thoughts; our minds. “Then the serpent said to the woman, ‘You will not surely die’” (Gen 3:4). If Satan can get your mind thinking in the wrong direction by alluring you with the lusts of deceit, he can then watch as you will fulfill those fleshly desires. He attacks the mind. There is a need for you to keep a heavenly and holy mindset, that is, a mind focused on things above, not on things on the earth. For all that is in the world - the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life - is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it” (1 Jn 2:16-17). Therefore our minds have to get above this world and into the world to come.

The greatest commandment, Jesus said, is to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind” (Mt 22:37). Our loving the Lord is done with our heart, soul, and mind. A mind that drifts into the things of the world will surely be captivated by the god of this world. It is a mind set in the wrong domain. There is need for our minds to be lifted up to a higher domain; into another world, that is, the one to come. Our mind must be set there because that is where our Lord is.

If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set you mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. (Colossians 3:1-3)

It is right, then, for us to maintain a heavenly mindset because that is where we have been placed; that is where our home is; that is where our citizenship is.

VAIN THINKING AND ALIENATION FROM GOD. Associated with the condition of being “lost” or “dead in trespasses and sins” is this matter of vain thinking. Those outside of Christ set their minds on meaningless things. Their thoughts are futile and shallow. And all of their wisdom, if compiled together, would still fall short of coming to the knowledge of God. This is the lot of those outside of Christ and is inappropriate for those who have come to Christ and have been taught by Him.

This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, having given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. (Ephesians 4:17-19)

The multiplicity of sin and alienation from God begin with the futility of the mind - vain thinking. Those who do not know God are slaves to their futile minds due to unbelief. They cannot come any higher than the earth because their thinking does not allow it. It is true of them that their minds have been blinded by the god of this world (2 Cor 3:14; 4:4). And because they “did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind” (Rom 1:28). They did not receive a love of the truth so as to be saved and so God sent upon them a deluding influence that they may believe a lie. For “the wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God; God is in none of his thoughts” (Ps 10:4). And you too experienced this, for you were once “alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works” (Col 1:21). 

But do not think that you are exempt from the temptation to fall back into this trap. Take heed, lest you fall. Even Israel of old came to a point where they had “forgotten the God of [their] salvation” and were not “mindful of the Rock of [their] stronghold” (Isa 17:10). Thus, the apostle Paul out of his concern wrote the Corinthians saying, “But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ” (2 Cor 11:3). Yes, brethren, it is needful for us to maintain a heavenly mindset.

SALVATION PROVIDES THIS MINDSET. In salvation we are given a heavenly mindset. One of the first things on the agenda of salvation was to change our mindset from a downward spiral to an upward climb. We were like the man possessed by “Legion” and dwelling in the land of the dead. We had to be kept under guard and bound by chains and shackles because if freed we would do wrong.  But upon meeting Jesus we were delivered from that state and were given a “right mind” (Lk 8:35).

This mind that we are given is “a sound mind” (2 Tim 1:7) and “a pure mind” that can be stirred up by thinking upon the things of the Lord (2 Pet 3:1).  It is a mind in which God has placed His Law (Heb 8:10; 10:16). Indeed, upon being saved, “we have the mind of Christ” (1 Cor 2:16).

All progress in Christ requires that this has taken place. There is no growth or advancement in the kingdom that can take place without us having a new mind. For, prior to this we only had a carnal mind which is enmity with God and cannot be subject to His Law and cannot receive the things of the Spirit (1 Cor 2:14). But having the mind of Christ is having fertile soil for the seed of the word of God resulting in growth and fruit-bearing. Thus, in Christ, you are instructed to put off the old man and put on the new man “being renewed in the Spirit of your mind” (Eph 4:23). We are no more conformed to the pattern of this world but are being transformed by the renewing of our minds (Rom 12:2).

The Gospel of the Resurrection - Part 4

A WORD FROM THE HOMELAND

10-20 minute messages concerning the world to come, the Christ that will bring us there, and the glorious inheritance of the saints.

The Gospel of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ

Part 4

"Jesus Died for our Sins According to the Scriptures"

For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures; and that He was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve; after that, He was seen of above five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, He was seen of James; then of all the apostles.

(1 Corinthians 15:3-7)

The Gospel of the Resurrection - Part 3

A WORD FROM THE HOMELAND

10-15 minute messages concerning the world to come, the Christ that will bring us there, and the glorious inheritance of the saints.

The Gospel of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ

Part 3

"The Gospel is Primarily a Proclamation"

For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures; and that He was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve; after that, He was seen of above five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, He was seen of James; then of all the apostles.
(1 Corinthians 15:3-7)

Fitly Framed Together - Part 3

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver

Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the Chief Corner Stone; in Whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord. (Ephesians 2:19-21)

It is important for us to know why we come together. There are many church-goers, sadly, who do not even know why they meet together. They "go to church" because it is Sunday then they go come and watch football and the commentary could state "the assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together" (Acts 19:32). It is very difficult, if not impossible, to obtain or deliver any benefit in the assembly of the saints if you do not know why you are there. If nothing else, determine that when you gather with the people of God it is "for the better" (1 Cor 11:17), that is, for the betterment and advancement of everyone who is present. The Lord is framing people together in the church that He might maximize their capacity to edify one another. Togetherness is of great worth.

A Perfect Gathering. Being fitly framed together speaks of perfection; a completed project. The assembly of saints is not just a collection of individual parts but the fitting together of those parts. The church, after all, is the gathering of many incomplete members and unified as one complete body. The assembly, no matter how small a delegation, is a demonstration of that while the culmination of this framing together is in heaven when God finally gathers together all things in Christ (Eph 1:10). The assembling of ourselves together now is a kind of firstfruits of that greater more perfect gathering.

Completion is the aim of Paul's exhortation: "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment" (1 Cor 1:10). That is an environment in which God can work. We see an example of this in the first days of the church when "all that believed were together, and had all things in common" (Acts 2:44-47). The brethren perfectly complimented one another by some selling their possessions and giving to other who had need. They were completing that which lacked - both physically and spiritually - and God strongly supported them.

Utility. Believers have been joined together that they might be an effective and productive people. The assembly of the saints is to be productive in the purpose of God. We are the building "of God" and are "being builded together" by Him and for Him (Eph 2:22). Like any building project, materials are gather and fitly framed together in order that they may function according to their purposed end. So it is with the church. The people of God are gathered and fitly framed together that they may function according to their purposed end - the glory of God and the building up of each other in love.

It is my perception that many people gather together with little or no expectation of being productive. Many people see the majority of the work of the church as something that happens outside of the confines of their gatherings together. Basically, their gatherings are a sort of tradition with no real work being accomplished. It is often seen as the place of preparation. But we must raise these expectations. The church is "an habitation of God through the Spirit" (Eph 2:22) in which and by which He is mightily working. When the whole church comes together there is great expectation because the assembly of the saints is a fruitful field. It has been divinely appointed that nourishment from God is delivered to the people of God "by joints and bands" and this is when they increase "with the increase of God" (Col 2:19). In a body the "Joints and bands" are where members come together! Nourishment is ministered there!

Diversity in the Assembly. The body of Christ needs every member. "The eye cannot say unto the hand, 'I have no need of thee'" (1 Cor 12:21). God has so "tempered the body together" that there should be no "schism...but that the members have the same care one for another" (1 Cor 12:24-25). The body is arranged in such a way that each member, whether comely or uncomely, is necessary and can provide care for the other members. This, again, is particularly true when those members all assemble together.

If God is working in someone, the rest of the body needs to partake of what God has wrought in them. In other words, what God gives to you is not only for you. The body of Christ needs every member to supply that which they have been given; "When ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation..." The various members offer various things in the assembly but God works those things together for the good of all. Therefore, "Let all things be done unto edifying" (1 Cor 14:26).

The Blessed Work. The people of God are fitly framed together and "compacted by that which every joint supplieth" (Eph 4:16) and thereby are built up, increased, and grow with a growth from God. In this "togetherness" in the assembly God is able to supply the needs of each individual member by working through the others. He is able to give insight or understanding to a member who can add to and capitalize on what He gave to another member. He gives portions to each member so when they come together they are more whole. That member which is incomplete of itself is completed when it is gathered together with the other members. A great work is accomplished in the assembly of the saints. God is fitly framing His people together so that they can partake of and participate in this work of edification.

Let us all take up the prayer of the apostle for all saints everywhere, "that their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ" (Col 2:2). Let us be among those who are "striving together for the faith of the gospel" (Php 1:27) "not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching" (Heb 10:25).