“And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and people.” (Luke 2:52 NASB)
Three days ago the meditation focused on the growth of the organism referred to as the local church. Yes, the church is an organism, consisting of many members with Christ as the Head. Today, let’s focus on the many members, which includes you, that make up this organism. You are not left out! This will apply to you as well as other believers.
What I’m about to tell you would make Dr. Taylor, my high school biology teacher proud that I depended on the research skills he taught us if he were to read what I am about to report. A multicellular organism is an organism composed of many cells, which are to varying degrees, integrated and independent. The development of multicellular organisms is accompanied by cellular specialization and division of labor; cells become efficient in one process and are dependent upon other cells for the necessities of life. Think about it for a minute before I go on.
The church is an organism made up of a blended people, integrated into one body, and dependent on each member to function as it should. The church is multi-faceted, and multi-cultural, and characterized by multiple ethnicities, as well as multiple generations. There should be no missing generation. The church should be an organism where it is evident that we are dependent on each other, just as the cells are dependent on each other in a multicellular organism. The church, according to the bible, is made up of many members, but we are in one body. The church, again like the multicellular organism. Is characterized by a division of labor. Some preach, some teach, and other members of the organism called the church perform their work, using the diversity of gifts that God has bestowed on them for the common good or the church. We should strive, as a church, to be an organism that is efficient in the process of making disciples and retaining disciples. If the members of the church function as it should, growth will take place.
A question arises: “How does the growth of the parts of the organism bring about the growth of the church as a whole?” My simple one-word response to that question, directed at each part, or shall we say intended for each member, including you, is “Grow!” If we, each member, grow as part of the organism called the church, the church growth we wrote about on March 6 will take place.
Another question arises: “How does each part grow?” Other than to tell you to study the word, pray, attend church, and engage in fellowship, yield to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and praying more, I advise you to look at Jesus as your model in the verse above. Above, I used the NASB version, the most accurate word-for-word translation. But here it is in a paraphrase, taken from The Message Bible: “And Jesus matured, growing up in both body and spirit, blessed by both God and people.”
Focus on the aforementioned, and after you read it, act accordingly to do your part in ensuring the growth of the organism called the church. Be blessed!
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King