COMMENTARY

Don Atkin

THE CORPORATE CHURCH AND INDIVIDUAL SAINTS

It can sometimes be disheartening to look at the church in her various forms and practices. Current manifestations reveal the undone condition of the corporate mass who is to become the unblemished bride of Christ. How can God make sense of this? Can He, indeed, wash her with the water of the word until she is without spot? (Rhetorical question, obviously answered "YES!")

On the other hand, when I look at the array of individuals who fill her ranks - and, I (with the help of the Holy Spirit) look upon their hearts rather than their outward appearance, I am encouraged. So many have hearts to please and follow God all the way into their individual destinies within the body of Christ, whom only He can assemble.

It is our humanity, not the Treasure within, that separates us from one another by carnal understanding, denominational heritage, and religious tradition. Our present condition is the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. We will grow into Him, and one another, as we eat from the Tree of Life, the Bread of Life, Jesus Christ.

This is the destiny of all genuine followers of Christ. This is the inevitable objective for those who live, move, and have our being in Him. This is the only option for those in whom He is the hope of glory. The steps are ordered for those who walk in the Spirit, being led by the Spirit as sons of God.

Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith.

Test yourselves.

Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?

-unless indeed you are disqualified. - II Corinthians 13:5

Those who are in the faith are those in whom Jesus Christ lives and reigns. Those in whom Jesus Christ lives and reigns are the church which is His body. These individual saints will be joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share (Ephesians 4:16). This will be the bride for whom the Bridegroom longs.

1. Make certain that you are in the faith.

2. Hold doctrines and denominations lightly.

3. Endeavor to walk in the Spirit.

4. Seek Him and all that He has for you.

5. Ask for truth to be revealed to you.

6. Be willing to adjust as you pursue obedience to Christ.

7. Repent from all that is not of faith, for it is sin.

8. Discern who are your brothers by the witness of the Spirit, not by outward appearance, by intellectual understanding, or by church affiliation.

9. Determine to be a part of the whole church in your city/region.

10. Keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of All, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. - Ephesians 4:3-6.