THE NOURISHMENT OF THE BODY. As in natural life, the beginning of the Spiritual life requires milk. Whereas babes we have a craving for the milk of the Word. This creates spiritual growth. Unfortunately, many never progress beyond the infant stage always wanting and seeking after the basics, the milk of the Word. The Apostle Paul chided the Corinthian church for their inability to go beyond milk and learn to eat the solids of the Word. 1 Cor. 3:2 The Hebrews were also reprimanded for their lack of the knowledge of the Word. They were still needing to be taught the < first principles > or basic doctrines. When they should have progressed to a point where they were teachers. They were still dependent on milk, when by this time they should have been able to assimilate strong meat. Strong, strong words, those still needing milk < are without experience of the word of righteousness > and are yet babes, regardless of the years that they may have followed Christ. Heb. 5:12-13 The number of years that a person has been saved has nothing to do with their maturity. An appetite for Spiritual things, especially the Word of the Lord promotes spiritual growth, and maturity, nothing else.
REACHING MATURITY. The consumption of strong meat is necessary. An ability to understand the prophetic utterances of the Word. Having received the revelation of the mysteries of the Word. Having been taught them is not sufficient. We must assimilate them until they become a part of our very spiritual nature and comprehension. Where, what was once the revelation of the teacher now becomes the revelation of the student. The scriptures call us to maturity, to the perfection that is found in the Lord Jesus. Note, His challenge, be perfect even as your heavenly Father is perfect. Mt. 5:48 He would not set a goal that was beyond possibility. If a man does not offend in word he is a perfect man, bringing the whole man into subjection. James 3:2 Might we apply this to the WORD of the Lord also? Our comprehension and understanding of the Word can be exactly as the Lord intended to reveal it to His church. Lord help us to proclaim the pure Word of truth.
AUTHORITY AND LEADERSHIP GIVEN TO CHRIST. Absolutely every thing is under the feet of the Lord Jesus. All authority and power is brought into subjection to Him. The Lord has excluded nothing from His control. Though this is not yet seen in its fullness, the day will come when it will be the fact. Heb. 2:8 The ultimate, is that day of victory when all ungodly rule and authority shall be subdued by Christ and the kingdom delivered to the Father. The final enemy to be conquered is death. 1 Cor. 15:25-26 He is the triumphant one.
HE IS THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH. Leadership, direction and the motivation of the body come from the head. So it is with Christ our thinking, our movements, our directions must come from Him. We will not miss the will of the Lord if we are properly connected to the head, Christ. Eph. 1:22 Two elements are seen as necessary to be a part of Christ. Truth and love. Christ is the truth. Christ is love. When the truth is spoken the spiritual man within us is quick to respond. Truth spoken in love will bind and unify the body, making it one. Eph. 4:15 The church is to be subject unto Christ. Eph. 5:23 Contrary to modern day relationships between husband and wives, the church must be in whole hearted submission to Christ. She must not be a stranger to such words as commitment, submission, subjection, dedication, surrender, consecration and so on. The Bride will be in complete subservience to her Beloved. She will fully follow the Word of the Lord. For Christ is the Word made flesh. Jn. 1:14
THE CHURCH HIS BODY. Joined together in one glorious component that complements and emulates Christ by the power of the Spirit. It is composed of many individuals, who through the workings of the Holy Spirit, react in every way, as one, for they are one in Christ. This is an amazing but marvelous evidence of the power of the Lord. They maintain their individuality but are gloriously joined to Christ. Lord haste the day. 1 Cor. 12:12 The practicality of the baptism of the Holy Spirit is never more evidenced than at this particular moment of time, when He makes up His Bride. A lack of unity in the church is an indication, that not all who claim to be Spirit filled, are Spirit filled. The infilling of the Spirit will create the heart and life of Christ in us which will promote harmony in the whole of the body. Perhaps we should all seek the Lord for the Spirit of the Lord which will bring about the example that is displayed in the Word of the Lord. The Lord will have the church that He has outlined in the Word, whether we are in it or not. He will find a Bride out of the hodgepodge that is called the church of today. Race, doctrine, denomination and what ever else brings division will be swept aside as He molds His Bride. 1 Cor. 12:13 There are some drastic changes that will sweep through the church world as the Lord Jesus begins to prepare a people to be His Bride. Resolutions and consecrations are to be made that will thrust men and women into an experience with Jesus that they have never know before. It is coming and shall be accomplished, to the glory of the Lord.