He is the Head . . .

Our church is large making it impossible to have intimate fellowship with everyone, never mind knowing all their names. For that reason, small groups are encouraged. Ours meets weekly and we have become close as we study and discuss God’s Word and pray for common concerns. Teasing is allowed, as are tears. Our worship and sharing last night was joyful and edifying and so it should be!

(God) put all things under (Christ’s) feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. (Ephesians 1:22–23)

The analogy is a body with Christ as the head and His people are His Body. The NT says it elsewhere, telling us to “hold fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God” (Colossians 2:19) and:

“. . . speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” (Ephesians 4:15–16)

The longer description is in 1 Corinthians 12, listing some of the difficulties in Christian relationships using the same analogy. For instance, a foot should never say they are not a hand so are not part of the body because each person, like each body part, is necessary for proper and healthy functioning. This applies to our spiritual gifts, personalities, experiences, and the sharing of what God is doing in our lives.

Today’s devotional puts an emphasis on the church being “the fullness of him who fills all in all” meaning that the full glory of Jesus Christ is completed in the degree that His glory is reflected in us His Body. We are to complement Him in whom “the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily” (Colossians 2:9) so that His grace and truth are made visible in this fallen world.

It’s true that we fall short far too often. Before Christ came into our lives, nothing could be more obvious. However, as Christians we now battle sin rather than giving in to it. That old life is dead to the things of God yet taunted and pulled by the ideas of the world, the lies of the devil, and mostly by a mess of old ‘I wants’ that draw us away from our Head into running our own lives. To this, God says:

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. (Galatians 5:16–17)

This personal battle is overcome only by yielding to God, for we cannot resist sin any other way. Many Christians testify that the worst of it is failing to realize we have fallen into running our own lives, at least in the least conspicuous ways.

However, our Head, Lord and Savior has ways of informing His Body that there is sickness and pain among us. He uses His Word, the Holy Spirit, and being with one another to do it. Just as “iron sharpens iron” we sharpen one another. (Proverbs 27:17) That is the value of small groups and deep fellowship.

Not only that, the desire to glorify the Lord is contagious. If one person is set on complimenting Christ and adorning His teaching, others are motivated to turn from personal ambitions to do the same. We encourage one another to “let our light shine before others in such a way that they may see our good works, and glorify our Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). We also encourage one another by reminding each other that God gives us all that we need to glorify the Lord. (2 Peter 1:3-12)

Jesus, Psalm 139:23–24 tells me to ask You to reveal sin that hinders me from glorifying You. I’m learning not to dread what You might show me, but also learning how each part of the Body helps me to be a stronger and more obedient Christian. Thank You for Your leadership as Head of Your church and the wonderful way that You enable us to work together in doing Your will.

MORE: What are the spiritual gifts mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:1–30? What answers those who think their gifts are less valuable that others? How am I gifted to minister to other? In what ways does that show up in my fellowship with them and my life in this world?

 

Who is in authority . . . ?

 

Yesterday was a very good day. The Lord was magnified in my devotions. The message at church was powerful and convicting. In a room of several hundred people, the silence was total as our pastor gave it. Brunch was blessed with joyful conversations. We later relaxed with a movie and a couple of football games on TV. I also did some purging on my computer and made a small quilt for February to hang in the window. Then I got tested.

The nature of the test need not be repeated here, only that I flunked it. Then this morning’s devotions were delayed when I discovered my purging was an error — all my docs/photos were gone. I have a backup, but it took time to restore them and to disengage the drive that caused the problem. All of that has me frustrated, more with myself and some with my computer system. Then I read this:

(God exalted Christ) far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet . . .  (Ephesians 1:21–22)

All things means all things and it reminded me of my mother’s saying: ‘We must need it or we wouldn’t be getting it.’ Did I need yesterday’s blessings? God thinks I did. Did I need the frustrations and tests? God thinks I did. Knowing He is the head over all things turns my thoughts from ‘woe is me’ to how wise and good He is.

The phrase “every name that is named” means any form of authority. This means angels, humans, now, or eternal. Someday every knee will bow before Him, and every tongue will confess that He is Lord. However, for now it is my concern that I do it. He is Lord, in my trials and triumphs, in all tests and blessings. He has authority in every thing with the right to tell me what ought to be my main concern:

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18–20)

I don’t see computer files in that command. Nor is there anything about my body, mind, emotions, choices, etc. It merely says “go” and as I am going, to be concerned that all people know and love the Lord. I’m to teach them what He has taught me — a clear implication to keep learning so I have something to say.

This great commandment is not just about what I should prioritize and be doing; it is even more about what He is doing. As MacArthur says, my efforts to obey will bear fruit because they are backed by the authority of Christ Himself. This encourages me to seek and to use every opportunity to share Christ and His Word with others. I represent Christ in whom lies all authority, and nothing can stand in the way of His purposes.

Lord, I know this command is general enough to keep me open to whatever You put in front of me. Yet I also know it is wise to ask You to direct me to specific people that You know need something You can give them through me in some way. I’m thinking of some names even now, and thankful that You are taking my mind off my complaints and issues of today to think more about others and eternal matters. Thank You.

MORE: Read Colossians 1:15–23.  What was Christ’s role in creation and for what purpose? What is His role in the church? In salvation? What place does He hold in my life?