Vince Deagler

hi again.  as i mentioned last time, i want to focus on the body of christ for awhile.  if you have not read my last note, i would encourage you to do so as it will serve as a foundation on this topic.  the specific area i want to touch on today is the growth of the body.

as i understand it, growth can be defined in 2 ways, both of which are important to our understanding of the body.  for labeling purposes let’s refer to them as spiritual growth (qualitative growth) and numerical growth (quantitative growth).  further, i believe we should understand growth to be the norm in a healthy body.  if the body of christ is a living organism as described in scripture, as opposed to a religious organization, how could growth not be the norm?  growth is a defining characteristic of life, when it is absent something is wrong.

now, let’s look at ourselves for a moment.  since i do not want to be “long winded” (all you guys who are thinking it’s too late for that, need to chill), let’s limit ourselves to the qualitative side of growth for today.  on a macro level god’s design for his body is growth to full spiritual maturity.  (see eph 4:11-16)  the ability to function as the body of christ depends on this.  said another way, how can an immature body function as christ?  (remember he has returned to the father and has passed the baton to us)  but spiritual maturity on the macro level can only become a reality when it is true on the micro level.  if we as the individuals who make up the body of christ are not growing to full spiritual maturity, can the body as a collective whole ever be the body god intends?  could this explain the state of christianity…how it is perceived?…and it’s level of real influence in our culture?  i think so.

do you ever wonder why this is true?  i do.  in fact i think i have at lest some of the answer.  my understanding of spiritual growth is shaped by chist’s command found in matt 28:18-20 “teaching them to observe all that i commanded you”.  i am not arrogant enough to presume i have all of this figured out, and am doing it perfectly.  but i also have my eyes open and realize there are many “christians” (at least that is their claim) who do not care what christ commands, do not try to obey, or only obey partially.  let’s be honest.  before we can obey all that christ commands, we have to know all that he commands and understand how to apply it in our life.  that is not easy, it takes time and effort to get there.  many are not willing to take the time and do the work.  we are satisfied with a personalized christianity where we set the parameters.  but until we are willing as individuals to observe all the teachings of christ we will not become spiritually mature.  this means the body of christ will be handicapped and the culture that desperately needs jesus…a full complete expression of all that he is will be deprived.  i find that troubling.

so, here is what i would like you to consider.  are you growing?  if your answer is yes, may i ask if this growth is comprehensive?  progressive?  a constant?  what do you have in place to maintain this?  you see, when we get here as individual body parts, the contribution we can make and the effect we can have is huge.  we will look at that in the next blog.

but what if you are not growing?  may i ask why this is true?  what are you willing to do about it?  is there a way i can help you change that? 

the stakes are too high to ignore this issue.  we are the body of christ.  that means we are christ’s functioning replacement in the world today.  he has passed us the baton.  we must understand spiritual growth is essential to the fulfillment of our mission. 

may we all dedicate ourselves to the process of “christ being formed in us” (gal 4:19).  blessings, vince