While we are diverse in several ways, there is a common assignment we share and that is to:
'Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations [help the people to learn of Me, believe in Me, and obey My words], baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,'
Matthew 28:19 AMP
This came to me after the Holy Spirit reminded me that I had overlooked an opportunity to share this brilliant news with a lady I met yesterday. No matter what our designation is in Christ's body, we all share this team assignment - proclaiming the Good News of salvation in Jesus Christ.
Football (Soccer) is a team sport. Each of the 11 players on a team is assigned to a particular position on the field of play. A team is made up of one goalkeeper and ten outfield players who fill various defensive, midfield, and attacking positions depending on the formation deployed. These positions describe both the player's main role and their area of operation on the pitch... (thanks Google).
God's Ministry(work) of reconciliation is a team sport.
Each individual, group, or church are player assigned to a particular position on the field of play. The field of play might be a local area or wider, but the team is definitely global.
This team of God's kids fill various defensive, midfield, and attacking positions depending on the formation and deployment by the chief coach (YHWH).
Each position describes the player's main role, and their area of operation on the pitch as individuals or part of groups. As Apostle Paul reiterates,
''Now you [collectively] are Christ’s body, and individually [you are] members of it [each with his own special purpose and function].'' 1 cor 12:27 AMP
We might not all have an international ministry/role but we are all part of ONE worldwide TEAM: God's reconciliation Army!
Whether your role is to score, defend, shoot, attack, or mine to control the flow of play, create opportunities, etc, it's still ONE team, in the SAME game.
Our prayer must be that our range of insight gets wider in Jesus' name.
Though a good player is focused on achievement in his role and specific area of play, it is never just about him. The reason to play his part well is for the glory of the team. He is fully aware that his glory is tied to the glory of the team.
"I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me." John 17:22-23 NIV
Ultimately to our God and Lord, there is no less significant group of believers than another neither is there a need to envy the seemingly more successful or larger institutions. There is no Catholic, Protestant, Messianic Jews, Independent or any other denominational faction - there is only the body of Christ and Christ is one. Jesus is aware of our circumstantial or man-made carve-outs, but he desires only one fold, with one shepherd and united under the same banner of Faith and the unifying assignment - which is to establish his kingdom (rule, principles, and authority) on earth as it is heaven and that all men come to knowledge of his grace and love. [John 10:16]
A shift from this focus leads to Christians being more focused on promoting their own corner of the body or geographical location rather than the city we collectively come from - the spiritual Zion. As the Apostle Paul says,
'' But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, 23 to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,'' Hebrews 12:22-23
As this revelation Paul describes, sinks in and dominates our hearts, we will excel in oneness and in protecting each other with the ferocity of a successful lion pride. You are my brother, your faults are my faults, and your success is my success. This will make me pray for your stability and success and moan (not rejoice) at your failure because we are one team with the same ultimate goal - to disciple the world for our King Jesus Christ. [Ephesians 4:4 1 Corinthians 12:25â€-‬27 1 Corinthians 3:3 NIV]
For this reason, I'll spur you on, pull you up, defend, and cover your back; all I ask is that you do the same in return... till the game is all over and the Team wins!
Amen.
''I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.'' Ephesians 1:16-19
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