One of the most marvellous blessings in observing God’s church grow according to His word is to see how God composes the body of Christ. In 1 Corinthians 12:24, the Greek word for “composed,” sygkeránnymi, is made up of two words: sýn, “identified with,” and keránnymi, “mix into a new and improved compound” – properly, mix together into a superior compound – “a holistic blend” (unified whole) where the parts work together synergistically. (Source)
I have heard testimonies and also witnessed personally how different generations, working with one heart and mind, not only complement each other, but combine to bring out a greater advantage. An older generation has the insight and blessing of experience, while the younger generation has the energy and drive.
Each generation must love God sincerely and there must be trust towards each other in order for God’s blessing to take place. After a period of time, the yoke of following the leadership God has put in place must continue in order to shield pride from entering into our service. Purifying our hearts to maintain meekness throughout our service in Christ will demonstrate a Christ-like spiritual quality that will ensure the horns of arrogance do not appear on our heads!
Mutual submission is demonstrated in our service when we are readily willing to listen to what each brings to the table in order to come to a good consensus. When one is cautious, he or she must not be read necessarily as stubborn. Wisdom is required for us to make breakthroughs. Apart from the truth, there isn’t an absolute way to do everything. There are different ways of reaching the same goal. As long as what we want to achieve is based on God’s principles, then we should have the patience to discuss until consensus is reached.
This is not a waste of time. This is how God’s church also works. It is through dialogue that God works in our hearts and together we can see what God wants us to do. This is according to the prophecy in Malachi, “Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord listened and heard them” (Mal 3:16). Meetings are a vehicle where time is invested and prayers are offered to seek God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. For Paul tells us, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor 15:58).
The encouragement is when we are serving in the Lord, we should have faith and patience. Faith is not just towards Jesus Christ. But if we have faith in Christ, we also should have faith in Him who provides all that we need in His church because His Spirit is working in us and others together.
Believe that time is a gift from God, which we are to see as part of the way God works. Since God gives us time, then we should take that time and give it to the process of exchange of ideas and ways of doing things.
The time that we give the devil a foothold is when we either give up or become resentful in our endeavours. Instead, we should purify our hearts, maintain respect, and trust and see how God will guide. If we do so, then by God’s grace, He will transport us to a more spiritual service and greatly use us beyond our wildest dreams.
Keeping the unity in Christ is part of our service: “I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with long-suffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph 4:1-3). It is good to read these few points not just in terms of our own mentality but also how we ought to feel towards others in our service to God.
Personally, I believe God’s work takes a lot of prayers. This is so that we can see it is God who guides, not what we do or say or how much effort we put in (Ps 127:1). The clearer we acknowledge this point, then the factor of human participation will be seen in a more moderate manner. It is not to be seen as so important that any move would be detrimental to God’s overall salvation plan, nor is it to be seen as so useless that we wouldn’t need to do anything to contribute towards God’s works.
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless the True Jesus Church through you with others in Him. Amen.