Local Church BODY

[Carpenter]

Originally Posted by keith4him

In the past 6 months, I have seen this truth more and more, we need to stay connected to the body to live, God's spirit works within the body context, you can and only will survive spiritual attacks within the body.

I agree with you completely as well...but I agree with others too...including myself.

[jillian]

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

Paul talks about EVERY joint supplieth thus every member has an important function they are not the same or maybe even the same degree but defintely important.

So true. The whole body is needed...

Sometimes we place so much importance on certain parts.. or works in the church. I love what the word says about that. It breaks my heart when I see someone feel that they are less than others, because they do not hold office, or sing, or are used in a visible way. Thank God for the those that are faithful, prayer warriors, encouragers, and uplifters..

We need to be in church, with the body, doing our part that we are called to do!!!! We can not do that staying at home!

1Co 12:20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.
1Co 12:21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
1Co 12:22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:
1Co 12:23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honor; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.
1Co 12:24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honor to that part which lacked:
1Co 12:25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
1Co 12:26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it.
1Co 12:27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

[John Atkinson]

Originally Posted by Carpenter

C'mon John, why do you have to bring delusion in to the conversation and this facetious comment regarding preachers?

You are overcorrecting because of a certain slant toward criticism of the ministry, however the unfortunate thing is that there are more saints than there are preachers so it makes them an easy target...I get it.

However, if you think that folks who have been body slammed, crushed and run over by certain situations and who therefore cannot particpate as being deluded, then you are demonstrating a tremendous lack in judgement with your broad brush.

In the arena of spiritual abuse, I assume that is what you are refering to, I genuinely have no expereince, I have never been abused nor have I done so.

I was more refering to those who choose for whatever reason to willfully seperate themselves. I must reiterate something I said in another post, If I was depending on preachers and saints to make it for God, I would just go snort some coke, because getting high feels better than watching preachers and saints lie, cheat, steal and yadda yadda.

But, I depend on God. The reason people get themselves in a mess is because all to often they depend on people. Those folks I feel for.

[Coonskinner]

At the end of the day, whatever has happened to you is no excuse for not obeying the WOrd of God.

If I found myself in such a bleak and desolate area that there was nothing around but abusing churches, I would move post haste, regardless.

My salvation is more important to me than anything, and that of my family.

get your hide somewhere where you can go to church.

Excuses won't hold water in the judgment.

[originalsecretplace]

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

Can any member of the human body live apart from the body for any length of time??????????????? Did not Paul In 1Cor. 12 use the human body as a type of the local church body????? The foot don't like the pitch of the voice that comes from the mouth so he says cut me off and I will stay home and be happy. But in the matter of days the body readjusts but the foot is dead.
Just a thought.

What is the local church body? How is it manifest and what is it composition?

[John Atkinson]

Originally Posted by Coonskinner

At the end of the day, whatever has happened to you is no excuse for not obeying the WOrd of God.

If I found myself in such a bleak and desolate area that there was nothing around but abusing churches, I would move post haste, regardless.

My salvation is more important to me than anything, and that of my family.

get your hide somewhere where you can go to church.

Excuses won't hold water in the judgment.

Yes, you are right, when it is all said and done we will be judged by the choices we make, not by the circumstances that influenced those choices. Hard fact but a fact it is.

[originalsecretplace]

Originally Posted by John Atkinson

Yes, you are right, when it is all said and done we will be judged by the choices we make, not by the circumstances that influenced those choices. Hard fact but a fact it is.

But our judgement by God will be mitigated by our mercy for others and how we treat others.

[Coonskinner]

Originally Posted by originalsecretplace

But our judgement by God will be mitigated by our mercy for others and how we treat others.

But that will not excuse us from obedience to His Word.

[originalsecretplace]

Originally Posted by Coonskinner

But that will not excuse us from obedience to His Word.

We're not talking about how to excuse ourselves though but His judgement. He will have mercy on us if we are merciful.

[Coonskinner]

Originally Posted by originalsecretplace

We're not talking about how to excuse ourselves though but His judgement. He will have mercy on us if we are merciful.

Do you think that means we can just be nice, merciful people, and expect to be saved while refusing to do what He commands?

Mercy in this life often reaps mercy in this life.

But in the judgment, we are going to be judged by our obedience to the Book.