Beschreibung
I once had a conversation with a man in Germany about the fact that in today’s world it is estimated that there are more than 44,000 Christian denominations. He was astonished because in Germany most people believe that there are only the Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Baptist and a few other churches or denominations. Then he asked me with genuine interest, ‘And which is the correct one?’ I answered by asking another question: ‘Which is the correct flower in a colourful mixed bouquet?’ The answer was and is obvious.
The Believer and Church are intended to first help Christians understand and accept their new identity in Christ, and then to recognise and fully embrace their role in the great bouquet of flowers that is the Church. Each flower has to reach the conclusion that it is infinitely beautiful and precious. It does not have to be another flower, nor does it need to be compared with the others. Only by recognising and accepting its own identity can it be a useful blessing to allow the whole Body to function efficiently. ‘Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ’ (1 Corinthians 12:12). Christians who have advanced to maturity understand who they are, what they have and what their role is in the Church. The ‘I’ will develop its full potential when it becomes part of a bigger ‘we’.
This full realisation is prevented on the one hand by ignorance, oblivion and disbelief, and pride and fear on the other. A few years ago I read the story of a tramp that was found dead in a large city in the United States. Upon reviewing the case, the authorities found $23,000 in his belt, but he had died of starvation. Obviously, either he did not know he was carrying a treasure, or he had forgotten about it. The same can happen to many Christians who ignore or forget the masterpiece of redemption that God completed through Jesus Christ for their benefit. Most Christians have limited their understanding of the gospel to the forgiveness of sin and the hope of going to heaven one day. They ignore or have forgotten that the main mission of the Church is not to take people to heaven, but to bring heaven to people, ‘your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven’ (Matthew 6:10).
Others, realising that in reality the Christian life is much more than receiving forgiveness, do not believe that these truths and promises are applicable to their lives. Their unbelief prevents their advancement and growth, for the Bible tells us that ‘the righteous shall live by faith.’ It is difficult to have more than what one has decided to believe in. Regarding their participation in the Church, many miss the blessing of reaching their full potential out of pride or fear. Pride is the most dangerous attitude, since ?God resists the proud ?. In the original language of the New Testament (Greek), the word translated as ‘resist’ in English is a military term: God will take action against the proud. Pride is the main sin of Satan who wanted to ‘shine’ brighter than God and His creation (Isaiah 14:12-14). The Christian who wants to live out his or her full potential will have to have a humble heart and seek how to serve the Body of Christ in the best way. Every Christian must be free from the fear of suffering losses by surrendering fully to divine service, knowing that according to Acts 20:35 ?giving is more blessed than receiving ?.
The Believer and Church then, can help you to better understand that you are unique, precious, useful, meaningful, loved and appreciated in heaven, so that you can invest yourself in the Church in order to leave your traces on Earth.
Hans-Claus Ewen?Kirchberg (Hunsrück), Germany.
