Commitment, Episode 4 Commitment to the Body

15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 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

Long ago, the Army realized the communications, while critical to battlefield success, required a high degree of technical knowledge and created the U.S. Army Signal Corps. Signal soldiers, NCOs, and officers served as the Army’s repository for all  matters regarding communications and other technical matters deemed too bothersome for the combat arms. In fact, the nascent flying services found their initial home in the Signal Corps; but, that is a story for another place and time. As a young Signal Captain, I found myself assigned as the Battalion Signal Officer in a tank battalion. I headed out with much trepidation. After all, I heard the stories of Signal Officers maligned, marginalized, and misunderstood. Often they found their careers impeded by their time “down-range,” and the associated negative performance evaluations. Harassed and ridiculed, they endured their assignments counting the days until their next assignment. Fortunately for me, this was not the case. 

Lieutenant Colonel Fiel led his battalion with a different vision. He understood that all the different skills assigned to the unit were required to make it a highly functional combat arms team. Of course, as a tanker himself, the tanks and the men who manned them sat at the top of the heap; but, he ensured that the rest of us enjoyed respect as well. I soon found that he valued and honored any soldier, NCO, or officer that displayed tactical and technical competence. I enjoyed and flourished in the two years I served under his tutelage. My career flourished as well. He and the other leaders in the battalion taught me much about leadership and teamwork and the commitment it entailed. He ensured that everyone understood that they were needed for success on the battlefield.

God did not design us to function as lone-rangers. He designed us to function as a body. During the COVID epidemic, many congregations experienced an exodus which has persisted until today. Our current cultural divide exacerbated this phenomenon with many complaining about ministers, brothers, sisters, and even denominations taking a different political stance than the they hold. For various reasons these fellow believers choose to try and make it through their daily walk alone, without the benefit of body-life. Their commitment to their own comfort exceeds their commitment to the body of Christ. They and the body suffer from this estrangement, a strange sort of spiritual divorce. Being committed to Jesus includes being committed to His body, the church. So why is this commitment so important?

24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10:24-25

One of the challenges we all face is doing a good deed because normally good deeds require some sort of sacrifice, be it time, money, or inconvenience. All too often I succumb to the urge to look the other way or find some sort of time-based excuse to avoid helping someone. As a retiree, this truly bothers me. Now I have time to help others and do those sorts of things that servanthood demands. I can easily screen my calls choosing not to answer when I see the name of a needy brother or sister. I salve my conscience by saying, “Well they would probably just use it for drugs,” or “They’re just too lazy to work.” All of these ignore the fact that I often waste God’s blessings on my own waist (Sorry, I could not resist.). But, if I’m a committed part of the body, avoiding doing good works becomes more difficult. You see, my fellow believers encourage me to strengthen my serve. When I see my brothers and sisters engaging in good works, it inspires me to go and do likewise. Also, plurality is a good defense. 

9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! 11 Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? 12 And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

We face a variety of temptations in this world. Though he is a defeated foe, satan continues to try and drag us down through many different tricks. Indeed he is a wily foe. In the Army we never assigned one soldier to a foxhole. We know that one soldier will fall asleep in the middle of the night. Your battle buddy does more than keep you awake. He watches your flank, making sure that the enemy does not sneak up through an unguarded avenue of approach. As Christians our brothers provide the same function. I remember once when I was caught up in iniquitous behavior, a dear brother turned to me and said, “Matt, do you still consider yourself a Christian?” And though I was offended and did not take immediate action, his sincere question stuck with me and helped move me away from sin and toward the Lord. Our brothers help defend us against attack. Going it alone most often leads to the shipwreck of my faith. Alone we cannot summon the moral courage to stand our ground. 

13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:13-16

Though in our modern self-centered culture we view this as Jesus speaking to us individually, He was speaking to a crowd which included His followers. It is not too big a stretch to apply this to the corporate body of believers. We, corporately, shine His light into the world. We, corporately, act as salt in this world. Together we are much more effective than we are singularly. When I embrace a walk of solitude, then I deprive the body of the gifts that God has equipped me with. As Paul said,

21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, 24 which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, 25 that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. I Corinthians 12:21-26

        Through his body metaphor, Paul reminds us that God did not design us to walk out our faith alone and that the body desperately needs all of its parts to function properly. You and I need to be committed to one another. When I separate myself from the body, I diminish its ability to act as salt and light in a world that desperately needs salt and light. Our commitment to the body of Christ reflects our commitment to Christ himself. This is difficult as we’re not perfect as believers, but the love we show when being patient with each other is a critical component of our action as salt and light. 

Thought Questions:

1. Have you experienced “church-hurt,” if so, what happened, and have you recovered?

2. Are your closest friends fellow believers, if not why?

3. When did you feel closest or most comfortable around fellow believers?

4. How could your local Christian-Community make you feel more welcome?

5. Are you close enough to fellow believers to share your struggles, why or why not?