God has plans and purposes for our lives. Some are individual. As people we can come to God in prayer and faith and personally receive and partake of the personal promises of God. We receive salvation as individuals. We renounce sin as individuals. However, God also has plans that are corporate. These are purposes of God that can only be fulfilled when the individuals of God come together as the church of God. There is a worship of God that is only done corporately. There is the receiving of the gifts of God such as pastors and teachers that is done corporately. There is the demonstration of the love of God that is done as the body of God, the church.
Paul had a very high appreciation of the purpose of the church. He wrote about the church. “Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. Although I am less than the least of all God’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. ” (Ephesians 3:2–12, NIV84)
Paul shared that God uses individuals to bless the church. “Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, ” (Ephesians 3:2, NIV84) When the body of Christ comes together, God raises up people and empowers them with grace to minister to the body. That grace is expressed through the ministry of apostle, prophets, pastors, teachers and evangelists. It is a grace we receive from God through people.
Some people get offended by others and quit going to church. They say the worship God in their homes. The truth is that when you stop being a part of the corporate body, you disconnect yourself from receiving the grace of God that God has chosen to give to the church through people. You become a stunted believer and cannot truly fulfill your purpose in Christ.
Paul speaks of another purpose for the church, the corporate body of Christ, in this passage. “His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms. ” (Ephesians 3:10, NIV84) When the people of God come together as a body, the church, there is a wisdom that is proclaimed into the spiritual realm. This wisdom is a manifold wisdom. That word manifold in the Greek means “marked with a great variety of colors”. Manifold speaks to a great tapestry or painting. The church which is comprised of individuals becomes a master artwork when it comes together. The church becomes unity in diversity and shouts together to the heavenly beings “How Great is Our God!”
When an individual gets offended and quits the church, then there is a color missing from this tapestry of God. It is unfinished and incomplete. The message to the heavenly beings is muted and unfinished. You are an important part of the church. Stay committed. Stay submitted. Stay faithful. Your love for God will shout into the heavens the greatness and the goodness of God.
