03/07/2024
You Have a Corporate, yet Unique Destiny in Christ
For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another - Romans 12:4-5
For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ - 1 Corinthians 12:12
Our destiny in Christ is two-edged, in the sense that it is corporate in essence (considering the entire Church of Christ as a whole), but unique in function (considering the individual members of the body of Christ). In other words, we all have a corporate goal or responsibility in destiny, but each one in the body of Christ, achieves that goal in a unique dimension, as stipulated by the Creator. To understand this beautiful truth, I will paint several pictures, as I juxtapose natural scenarios with scriptural illustrations for the purpose of clarity.
Firstly, as signified in the above highlighted scriptural references, the natural human body is one whole body, with diverse members, each member having a unique function, they perform in the body, for the overall functioning of the entire body. Interestingly, all, members of the body of a man, though having thier unique names such as ear, eye, nose etc, all answer to the corporate identity of the person. For instance, your name can't be called Henry, and your leg's name be called Jones, and eyes called Patrick. Every member of the body is addressed as the same person. So also in the spiritual body of Christ, we all are unique in our respective God-given assignments, yet working together for the fulfillment of God's corporate plans and purposes for the entire Church and human race as a whole.
Secondly, in the natural, particularly in a congregational setting, all members of a congregation, though seated in the same building, all sit down in thier own unique seat. Likewise, in the spiritual we are all seated together with Christ in heavenly places, but each one has a unique place he or she sits (Ephesians 2:6). To wander out of your place, means to be displaced and victimized in life, no wonder Paul the Apostle admonished the Church to abide in the same place, they have been called of God (Proverbs 21:16, 27:8, 1 Corinthians 7:20, 24).
Thirdly, all runners may stand on a common track, to run a race inorder to arrive at a common destination or end, but each runner has his or her unique lane in that wide track. This is why Paul the Apostle, admonished the saints along this line: Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us (Hebrews 12:1).
Fourthly, all pedestrians on a road may all be trekking along the same road, but each one has the very path he or she takes on that common road. The bible clearly reveals that we are pilgrims in this world, sojourning on the earth, hence we must mind the path we take on the earth, else we be deceived by the enemy and diverted from our God-ordained path in life and destiny (1 Peter 2:11, Proverbs 4:25-27). Joel the Prophet speaking of the end time Church of Christ, has this to say: Neither shall one thrust another; they shall walk every one in his path: and when they fall upon the sword, they shall not be wounded (Joel 2:8).
Lastly, all soldiers on the parade ground, though marching in ranks and regiments, does so along a defined circumference, but each soldier marches along his or her own lane. Joel 2:7 confirms this truth: They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war; and they shall march every one on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks. It is very evident in scriptures that we have all been called as soldiers of Christ in God's end time army, owing to the fact that life in itself is principally warfare and not funfare (2 Corinthians 10:3-6, Ephesians 6:10-18, 1 Timothy 1:18, 2 Timothy 2:3-4).
So, the wisdom lessons we can draw from these scriptural pictures are as follows:
1. We are all called by God to serve a unique function in destiny, so embrace your uniqueness and function in that capacity.
2. Your uniqueness does not make you superior or inferior to any other in the body of Christ, because we are all needed, and our functions are very necessary and important, so celebrate the uniqueness of others, as You cherish yours also.
3. As we embrace our uniqueness, let us recognize that we all in the body of Christ, have a common destination, hence our aim should be to work for the common good and interest of the body, as specified by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
4. Don't wander from your God-given place, don't wish to be another member of the body, don't cross carpet to another man's lane in the race of life, don't tow another man's path as you sojourn in destiny and don't break your ranks as a good soldier of our Lord Jesus Christ.
5. A wise man once said, the best you will ever be, becoming somebody else, is second best and a photocopy of the original. So be original, that is, be who God has called you to be.
6. Your security, safety, provisions and fulfillment in life and destiny, lies in embracing and accomplishing the very purpose, God created you for on the earth, so locate and abide in your place, discover and maintain your lane and enquire rightly and walk in your path.
God bless you.
Authored by Pastor George Ojeabulu.
