Build Up the Body
Read the Text: 1 Corinthians 14
Memorize the Text:
Now these three remain: faith, hope, and love – but the greatest of these is love.
(1 Corinthians 13:13, CSB)
Consider the Text: 1 Corinthians 14
The conversation about using tongues in the church has caused division for centuries. This debate centers on one’s belief concerning the presence and usage of tongues in the local body. Differing opinions like this often lead to division and deconstruction instead of the building up of the Body of Christ. In 1 Corinthians 14, the apostle Paul discussed the issue of speaking in tongues and framed it in the parameters of building up the Body of Christ. Thus, this chapter provides four truths for living in a proper attitude in the Body of Christ when opinions differ.
TRUTH 1 – BUILD EVERYTHING ON THE FOUNDATION OF CHRIST
When believers begin to build a community on a single doctrine or spiritual activity, the foundation for the gathering becomes weak. Though believers may differ on secondary doctrines, the actual Body of Christ is established on the foundation of Christ alone. This means that believers build their life, and churches construct the body on the solid rock foundation of Jesus. The foundation of Christ does not exist due to opinion or personal thought but is the absolute truth needed for the true Body of Christ to be constructed.
TRUTH 2 – CARRY OUT THE WORK OF CONSTRUCTION WITH THE GOSPEL
The gospel must be the instrument of construction. The gospel is the message of salvation that comes from Christ alone because of the work done by Christ alone. The gospel's message becomes the needed instrument of construction because it invites unbelievers to salvation and become part of the Body of Christ. The gospel becomes a constructive tool because it is the only message that opens new believers' avenues.
Secondarily, the gospel as a construction tool allows believers to be encouraged. When the gospel becomes the main message, believers become reminded of God’s grace, mercy, and life because of Christ. This means that the construction work is motivated because of the reality of believers knowing what Christ has done in their life, which leads to sharing this opportunity with others.
TRUTH 3 – CONSTRUCT TO DEVELOP BELIEVERS SPIRITUALLY
Paul addressed the need for the activities of the Body of Christ to be used to construct a continued motivation for believers to grow in Christ. When Jesus proclaimed the Great Commission, He charged believers to be disciples who make disciples. As a result, a disciple is a life-long learner who constantly seeks to mature and grow in their faith. The Body of Christ must strive to develop a construction culture where believers build their spiritual life to become closer to the Lord.
TRUTH 4 – FOLLOW THE BLUEPRINT OF THE LORD
The key for the Body of Christ is to follow the blueprint laid forth by the Lord. He provided the commands that call believers to rest on the true foundation of Christ and to use the tool of the gospel constantly. At the same time, the Lord calls believers to mature in their faith and to encourage other believers to grow. To accomplish this task, the Lord provided the blueprint that maintained Christ as the foundation that brought unity and told us to center our lives there. He warned us of division in the secondary issues and called us to follow His leading in our lives.
The apostle challenged believers to live as construction workers. He called us to follow the Lord's blueprint and work together to build one another. How are you doing in the task? Are you allowing secondary issues to separate you from other believers? Do you let debated topics become division makers and deconstruct the Body of Christ? What steps will you take to battle for living in a manner that builds up the Body of Christ?
This blog is part of the Coffee and Quiet Time with Jesus Devotional Series found at equippingfaith.com. Join the journey of reading through the New Testament this year. More information can be found at equippingfaith.com.
