As we approach this time of year our hearts and minds should begin to turn towards the Passover, and once again we are to 2 Corinthians 13:5. Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; prove your own selves. Don’t you of your own selves know that Jesus Christ is in you? Otherwise, you are reprobates (A Faithful Version) We examine ourselves in the light of our relationship with the Lord Jesus, our Messiah.
As we study 1 Corinthians 11:17-34, we see there are 2 aspects of the Body of Christ That we should come to understand. The first and foundational aspect is the personal experience of the physical body of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
The Son of God sacrificed Himself allowing His physical body to be humiliated, shredded and ripped apart by the whip, the crown of thorns pounded into his scalp, and the nails thrust into His hands and feet. Not to mention the mental anguish He had to go through, when He realized that His Father had completely removed Himself from His presence. Matthew 27:46. And about the ninth hour, Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” That is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (A Faithful Version) I believe this had to be more painful than the physical beating He endured for us.
The effect of all this was that His shed blood was enough, in the Father’s eyes, to satisfy all the claims of justice against us, and not only we believers but the whole world as well. 1 John 2:2. And He is the propitiation for our sins; and not for our sins only, but also for the sins of the whole world. (A Faithful Version)
This is why we are considered as justified in Christ Jesus, by the Father, and part of why we are to remember and proclaim His death every year by partaking of the symbols of the bread and wine. We can never-by-pass the blood of Jesus Christ.
This brings us to the second aspect of the Body of Christ. 1 Corinthians 11: 28. But let a man examine himself, and let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup accordingly 29. Because the one who eats and drinks unworthily is eating and drinking judgment to himself, not discerning the body of the Lord. 30. For this very reason, many are weak and sickly among you, and many have fallen asleep. 31. Now if we would examine ourselves, we would not be judged. 32. But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, so that we will not be condemned with the world. (A Faithful Version)
Because there is little depth of understanding, the Body many among you are spiritually weak, and spiritually sick, and a number are as spiritually dead.
As we continue into the second aspect of the Body, that Paul shares with us in 1 Corinthians 12:1. Now brethren, I do not wish you to be ignorant concerning the spiritual gifts. (A Faithful Version)
So, Paul is revealing some deeper spiritual understanding for us in the rest of chapter 12. I would encourage you to take some time to read and meditate on the entire 12th chapter. Take special note of verses 12, 18, and 27 he writes, 12. For even as the body is one and has many members, yet all the members of the one body, though many, are one body; so also is Christ. 18. But now has God Himself placed each one of the members in the body according to His own will. 27. Now you are the body of Christ, and you are all individual members. (A Faithful Version)
“Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it.” How awesome is that. I assume that most of you are at least familiar with this chapter, but I wonder how many truly comprehend the depth of what is being revealed here.
The effect of this resurrection on all believers in Jesus Christ is that we have direct access to the very throne of God in and through Jesus the Christ. Hebrews 4:16. Therefore, we should come with boldness to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (A Faithful Version) And as we come to accept the reality of this privilege, it will prepare us for the Holy Spirit to build the very life of Christ into the dept of our being.
Romans 8:34. Who is the one that condemns? It is Christ Who died, but rather, Who is raised again, Who is even now at the right hand of God, and Who is also making intercession for us. (A Faithful Version)
The body whom we call Jesus is not on this earth, but the Father’s plan and work continue to move on the earth to this very day, through the body whom we call the Church of God—the called-out ones.
The is why the Father wants us to have (Spiritual) things. Romans 8:32. He Who did not spare even His own Son, but gave Him up for us all, how shall He not also grant us all things together with Him? (A Faithful Version) “Now we are Christ’s body, and individual members of it.”
WHY DOES THE FATHER CONSIDER US CHRIST’S BODY? It is because our human bodies are the containers—vessels of the Holy Spirit, who dwells in us, whom we have from God, and that we are not our own. Notice; 1 Corinthians 6:19. WHAT! Don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, which you have within you from God, and you are not your own? 20. For you were bought with a price. Therefore, glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. (A Faithful Version)
WE HAVE BEEN BOUGHT WITH A PRICE; THEREFORE, WE SHOULD GLORIFY GOD IN OUR DAILY LIVING.
Paul had previously said to them 1 Corinthians 3:1. And, I, brethren, was not able to speak to you as to those who are spiritual, but as to those who are carnal—even as to babes in Christ. 2. I gave you milk to drink, and not meat; for you were not yet able to receive spiritual meat; and neither are you able now, 3. For you are still carnal. For since envy and contention and divisions are among you, are you not carnal? And are you not walking according to human ways? And when we read again in 1 Corinthians 11:30. For this very reason, many are weak and sickly among you, and many have fallen asleep. (A Faithful Version)
Do we see how Paul was trying to get their attention in order to change their attitude and their approach to life. There seems to be a general theme of both letters to the Corinthian Church. Paul was building them up (Spiritually) and not tearing them down. 2 Corinthians 13:5. Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; prove your own selves. Don’t you of your own selves know that Jesus Christ is in you? Otherwise, you are reprobates. (A Faithful Version)
This test was not IF Christ dwells in them, because he had already told them this truth (1 Corinthians 3:16, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20), but the test was whether or not they understood and trusted in this fact and applied it to their lives.
What a vision we can catch when we become God minded. Philippians 2:5. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus (A Faithful Version) He knew God dwelled within Him and yielded Himself accordingly as an example for us.
As we examine ourselves this year, ask the Father to give us light and reveal to us the depth of this second aspect of the Body of Christ, and what it means to us personally.
As He does this, then we should begin to see the connection we have with our Father more clearly, and the need we have for drawing near Him especially at the Passover Service, but also into the Days of Unleavened Bread.
Your Brother in Christ,
Ron
The Lord’s Body – Ron Volk
April 6, 2024 by Shirley Gohner • Uncategorized • 0 Comments
As we approach this time of year our hearts and minds should begin to turn towards the Passover, and once again we are to 2 Corinthians 13:5. Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; prove your own selves. Don’t you of your own selves know that Jesus Christ is in you? Otherwise, you are reprobates (A Faithful Version) We examine ourselves in the light of our relationship with the Lord Jesus, our Messiah.
As we study 1 Corinthians 11:17-34, we see there are 2 aspects of the Body of Christ That we should come to understand. The first and foundational aspect is the personal experience of the physical body of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
The Son of God sacrificed Himself allowing His physical body to be humiliated, shredded and ripped apart by the whip, the crown of thorns pounded into his scalp, and the nails thrust into His hands and feet. Not to mention the mental anguish He had to go through, when He realized that His Father had completely removed Himself from His presence. Matthew 27:46. And about the ninth hour, Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” That is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (A Faithful Version) I believe this had to be more painful than the physical beating He endured for us.
The effect of all this was that His shed blood was enough, in the Father’s eyes, to satisfy all the claims of justice against us, and not only we believers but the whole world as well. 1 John 2:2. And He is the propitiation for our sins; and not for our sins only, but also for the sins of the whole world. (A Faithful Version)
This is why we are considered as justified in Christ Jesus, by the Father, and part of why we are to remember and proclaim His death every year by partaking of the symbols of the bread and wine. We can never-by-pass the blood of Jesus Christ.
This brings us to the second aspect of the Body of Christ. 1 Corinthians 11: 28. But let a man examine himself, and let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup accordingly 29. Because the one who eats and drinks unworthily is eating and drinking judgment to himself, not discerning the body of the Lord. 30. For this very reason, many are weak and sickly among you, and many have fallen asleep. 31. Now if we would examine ourselves, we would not be judged. 32. But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, so that we will not be condemned with the world. (A Faithful Version)
Because there is little depth of understanding, the Body many among you are spiritually weak, and spiritually sick, and a number are as spiritually dead.
As we continue into the second aspect of the Body, that Paul shares with us in 1 Corinthians 12:1. Now brethren, I do not wish you to be ignorant concerning the spiritual gifts. (A Faithful Version)
So, Paul is revealing some deeper spiritual understanding for us in the rest of chapter 12. I would encourage you to take some time to read and meditate on the entire 12th chapter. Take special note of verses 12, 18, and 27 he writes, 12. For even as the body is one and has many members, yet all the members of the one body, though many, are one body; so also is Christ. 18. But now has God Himself placed each one of the members in the body according to His own will. 27. Now you are the body of Christ, and you are all individual members. (A Faithful Version)
“Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it.” How awesome is that. I assume that most of you are at least familiar with this chapter, but I wonder how many truly comprehend the depth of what is being revealed here.
The effect of this resurrection on all believers in Jesus Christ is that we have direct access to the very throne of God in and through Jesus the Christ. Hebrews 4:16. Therefore, we should come with boldness to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (A Faithful Version) And as we come to accept the reality of this privilege, it will prepare us for the Holy Spirit to build the very life of Christ into the dept of our being.
Romans 8:34. Who is the one that condemns? It is Christ Who died, but rather, Who is raised again, Who is even now at the right hand of God, and Who is also making intercession for us. (A Faithful Version)
The body whom we call Jesus is not on this earth, but the Father’s plan and work continue to move on the earth to this very day, through the body whom we call the Church of God—the called-out ones.
The is why the Father wants us to have (Spiritual) things. Romans 8:32. He Who did not spare even His own Son, but gave Him up for us all, how shall He not also grant us all things together with Him? (A Faithful Version) “Now we are Christ’s body, and individual members of it.”
WHY DOES THE FATHER CONSIDER US CHRIST’S BODY? It is because our human bodies are the containers—vessels of the Holy Spirit, who dwells in us, whom we have from God, and that we are not our own. Notice; 1 Corinthians 6:19. WHAT! Don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, which you have within you from God, and you are not your own? 20. For you were bought with a price. Therefore, glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. (A Faithful Version)
WE HAVE BEEN BOUGHT WITH A PRICE; THEREFORE, WE SHOULD GLORIFY GOD IN OUR DAILY LIVING.
Paul had previously said to them 1 Corinthians 3:1. And, I, brethren, was not able to speak to you as to those who are spiritual, but as to those who are carnal—even as to babes in Christ. 2. I gave you milk to drink, and not meat; for you were not yet able to receive spiritual meat; and neither are you able now, 3. For you are still carnal. For since envy and contention and divisions are among you, are you not carnal? And are you not walking according to human ways? And when we read again in 1 Corinthians 11:30. For this very reason, many are weak and sickly among you, and many have fallen asleep. (A Faithful Version)
Do we see how Paul was trying to get their attention in order to change their attitude and their approach to life. There seems to be a general theme of both letters to the Corinthian Church. Paul was building them up (Spiritually) and not tearing them down. 2 Corinthians 13:5. Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; prove your own selves. Don’t you of your own selves know that Jesus Christ is in you? Otherwise, you are reprobates. (A Faithful Version)
This test was not IF Christ dwells in them, because he had already told them this truth (1 Corinthians 3:16, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20), but the test was whether or not they understood and trusted in this fact and applied it to their lives.
What a vision we can catch when we become God minded. Philippians 2:5. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus (A Faithful Version) He knew God dwelled within Him and yielded Himself accordingly as an example for us.
As we examine ourselves this year, ask the Father to give us light and reveal to us the depth of this second aspect of the Body of Christ, and what it means to us personally.
As He does this, then we should begin to see the connection we have with our Father more clearly, and the need we have for drawing near Him especially at the Passover Service, but also into the Days of Unleavened Bread.
Your Brother in Christ,
Ron