“….What hath God wrought!”  (Numbers 23)

“…[T]he church of God, which [H]e hath purchased with [H]is [O]wn [B]lood.”  (Acts 20)

 

Recently, a member of the body of Christ slipped, fell, and was hurt. When I received the news I was stopped in my tracks. I just called the info, news and indeed, it is news. It is important to know how members of the body of Christ are doing.  I cannot say that I know this man well as I have not spend much time with him. However, I have observed him as that is what a shepherd does.

This man is always present at each and every church service and all the events associated with the school, which is a part of his church.  This man  is always present to shake the hands of those that attend the church. He also is one who invites others to services and makes all feel welcome. With all that this man does and how he serves the Lord, there is always the temptation present, to see ourselves as vital and important, as the enemy whispers in our ear. Our brother falls not for the silly machinations of the defeated enemy.

After learning of the incident there is a question I want to ponder with you.
Reader,  I said above that I do not know this man well so why should I?…Why Do I?… why did I stop in my tracks when I heard the news?

Readers, this is a work of God. I was concerned with this man’s slip and fall because Christ has joined us together into One Body… His Body, the mystical and united Body Of Christ. Our Bless-ed Benefactor gave Himself so that I would be concerned with this man’s slip and fall. Our Redeemer not only purchased us with His Blood, but He purchased the Church…which is a members only club. He purchased the church with His Blood, that is specific. He, with His Own Pure and Peculiar Blood, purchased ONLY those that would be within the Church…those chosen to be a part of the Body…and those who would be citizens of the His Kingdom.

It is a work that only God could do. God chooses sinners, vile and unclean as they are, and cleans them…washes them with His Word and with His Blood and then re-(s)-trains them to be a representative of Himself. He also puts a new heart…a new mind… a new Spirit into them.

This new heart, new mind and new Spirit compels them to care for one another…to love one another… to prefer one another.

This is the Church that our Lord has built and is building still. Persons from different backgrounds, different experiences; Persons who are diverse: in age, gender, race, tongue, tribe, nation, personality, thoughts, etc.  It is our God, Who unites us all together into one family, one body, one building, one faith and one Blessed Hope.

And that is why I was stopped in my tracks. That is why I am concerned with the man that slipped and fell. We will be encouraged when he rises up again, as did his Elder Brother some time ago.