Reconciled in One Body

Reconciled in One Body

“For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of division between us, having abolished in His flesh the enmity . . . so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. . . . For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.” Read Ephesians 2:13-22.

There was enmity between the Jew and the Gentile to the point where a Jew was not even allowed to eat with a Gentile. However, Jesus put to death the enmity through the cross and reconciled them both in one body. The wall of division was in the flesh, because according to the flesh the one was born a Jew and the other a Gentile. Now Jesus came and broke down the middle wall of division and through the cross put to death the enmity, so that they both had access to the Father in one Spirit.

Since Jesus was able to do this work of creating one new man out of the two, how much more should not all Christians be reconciled in one body? The church is the body of Christ, but now there are many “churches,” and it is evident that they cannot be reconciled in one body. There are far too many walls of division. In other words, the flesh, in which are the walls of division and the enmity, is not crucified.

“For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.” 1 Cor. 12:13. When those who believe in Jesus do not become one even as the Father and the Son are one, it is because the one Spirit is not given full rein to lead, but the flesh is also allowed to lead. Walls of division arise as soon as the flesh is allowed to lead a little bit. In these so-called churches it is of great importance what you are according to the flesh. If you are talented, you stand a good chance of obtaining a leading position. Little thought is given to whether you are spiritual or not. But if you are a capable person, you will make good progress—especially if you have a lot of money, or a high education. If you want to be a pastor of a large assembly, you have to have a worldly education. But does anyone have access to the Father through any of this? Did Jesus not praise the Father because He had revealed it to babes? All of us have access to the Father in one Spirit. Don’t we all have to have it revealed to us by the Spirit—whether we are learned or unlearned—as to what belongs to the kingdom of God? Unfortunately the things that belong to the kingdom of God are not of sole importance in these so-called churches. There are so many things of this world that must be accommodated, so there is a need for people who have an understanding of worldly business and greatness and glory. This is how the flesh gains influence and how the walls of division rise up.

“And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets,” etc. Eph. 4:11. There are various gifts, but the Spirit is the same; there are various ministries, but the Lord is the same; but the revelation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all. 1 Cor. 12:4-11. Then follows a list of a number of ministries and gifts, and “the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.” Where is the body of Christ—the church—where the Spirit has such liberty? In that church the possibility of becoming a leader because you are a talented person or have a worldly education, etc., is non-existent. Only those who walk in the Spirit and whose flesh is crucified have possibilities there. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty to serve as the Spirit distributes and works in each one individually. This is how we can act according to the apostles’ words, “Therefore comfort [exhort] each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.” 1 Thess. 5:11. However, that middle wall of division, and the enmity in the flesh, will rise up as soon as someone wants to be called “pastor” or “evangelist” or wants to be “elder brother.” For such people it is not sufficient to serve according to how the Spirit distributes, and it is not sufficient for them just to perform a service. They also want to have a title and be regarded as both this and that. All this gives rise to dissension, and each of them boasts of his teacher. 1 Cor. 1:12; 4:6. They consider their ministry a robbery, and if the Spirit were to work through someone else for a blessing, they are immediately afraid of competition instead of rejoicing that God is in their midst. 3 John 9-10. The body of Christ can never be built wherever a party-spirit rules. Therefore those who want to be reconciled in one body have to leave such a party system.

Once you depart from that simple and child-like edification where each one comes with whatever the Spirit gives him, there is an end of revival. Polished and elegant speeches are substituted instead. Then all those who are carnal have their chance, and it begins to mean so much what you are according to the flesh. The result will be as the apostle says: “They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them.” 1 John 4:5. That is really something for the world to listen to because they have natural talents and an understanding of business and the arts.

“We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.” 1 John 4:6.

When our sole desire is godliness, it would be strange that we should not be able to edify one another in one body—and that one should warn against the other. Then we need to test those who warn you to see if there is anything they seek besides godliness—whether they seek to be something great or whether they want to be considered someone special. Perhaps they feel more comfortable among those who are great in this world than among those who fear God, those who in child-like simplicity edify one another through the Word of God and prayer.

You, who seek God with all your heart, beware lest anyone bind you or make you a prey through worldly wisdom or vain deceit. Col. 2:8-10. Seek God together with those who have said “Farewell” to all worldly greatness and where you have liberty to serve as a member of the body according to the workings of the Spirit. There is only one body and one Spirit. Only if the flesh is on the cross can we be reconciled in this one body and be led by this one Spirit. What a blessed salvation, fellowship, and unity. Jesus said, “Seek, and you shall find.”