The Law and the Body of Christ

The law has dominion over a man as long as he lives. That is why most people remain under the law. There must be a death if we want to bear fruit for God. Rom. 7:1-4. Through the body of Christ we are freed from the law, and we are bap­tized by one Spirit into one body. 1 Cor. 12:13. This tremen­dous transformation takes place first in our mind by faith. We receive forgiveness of sins and are placed with Him in heaven. The transformation that has taken place in our mind will then also take place in our body when we daily carry about the dying of Jesus in our body. 2 Cor. 4:10. Those who are in the flesh bear fruit unto death. Rom. 7:5-6. A person is in the flesh when he lives for himself.

The law restrains the development of evil. Gal. 3:23-25. We become free from the law when we believe that we are dead with Him and allow ourselves to be led by the Spirit and to serve in the newness of the Spirit. What a life results where death has worked! Rom. 6:6-9. Death has no power when a person lives the resurrection life. Life and glory are manifest. Those who hold fast by faith to the commitment that their old man is crucified with Him are able to reckon themselves dead to sin and alive to God. They are led by the Spirit and are not under the schoolmaster.

The Spirit is to lead us into sanctification, but then we must believe the truth. 2 Thess. 2:13. Without a love for the truth, we cannot be saved. Then we cannot see the deeds of the body, and we cannot find anything to put to death through the Spirit. Walking on the new and living way makes us living. Rom. 8:13. If a person is not aware of his own deeds of the body, then he has drifted away from the work of the Spirit. We must bear fruit for God so that there is constantly a better savor coming from our spirit. This happens by faith in the Word—for example, faith in Romans 6:6 and 11. These simple truths are far away from most people, and if you do not con­tinually remain in sanctification, the Word will soon be far away from you.

The form of doctrine that has been given to us is a blessed Word of God. The intention is for us to become blessed and happy in our work. Hatred is required to put an end to every­thing that revolves around self. “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thess. 5:16-18. This is an example of a word that can make you extremely happy, but you cannot en­ter into it unless the old man is put off and you live a crucified life. If we are to rejoice always, there are a lot of things to which you must reckon yourself dead! The prophet Jonah had his share of bad days when things did not go the way he had expected or the way he had prophesied. When joy is lacking, a person quickly begins to beat and dominate others. Many de­mands and expectations must be put to death for a person to be thankful for everything and to pray without ceasing. Our own self-will must be broken down so that we can put the Word of God into practice. When you fulfill such Words, you experience the comfort in Christ and the anointing of the body of Christ. The Word breaks us down according to the flesh but builds us up powerfully in our spirit.

Now the body of Christ must be built, and we are a part of God’s field. As a co-worker of God, it is vital that you under­stand to sow in God’s field. What do you think the Father thinks about the people you are together with in the church? Among children and young people, we are dealing with God’s outer court, and we must be co-workers of the living God! Only thoughts of peace have a future in the church. Jer. 29:11. You have a tremendous power when Galatians 2:20 has be-come your personal testimony—that it is no longer “I” who live, but that Christ lives in me. Without this life, the stench of one’s own life oozes out in all our circumstances.

We must be able to lift up holy, pure hands without wrath and without quarreling. Many circumstances can make our hands dirty. You can continue to pray and serve in arrogance without having pure hands, and the result will be that there is not enough spiritual power present to keep those things that are impure in their place. Without fellowship with God, you can cause a lot of damage to yourself and others. Our con­science must be pure if we always want to be able to believe and to be able to serve people. God tests people in different ways. A servant of the Lord must be able to endure backbit­ing, dishonor, evil report, etc. Through the work of the Spirit, we are trained for a life that superficial people can never ex­perience. When a person loves the truth, he has nothing to fear and much to learn!

The goal for the church of Christ cannot be reached when a person who is serving becomes great in himself. It can only be reached when we serve and give our lives for one another. Some leaders seem to be fearful that those who are growing up will take their place. Johan O. Smith encouraged the oth­ers in a confident and good way. As a leader a person can be so bound to his own honor that he does not dare to strengthen others who have borne great burdens, even though the oth­ers’ works have greatly benefited the body. It is really reward­ing to be open and to show confidence. It is not easy to show exactly the right amount of confidence, but it is better to show too much than too little. The expression “make a man out of him, but do it slowly” can be interpreted according to the let­ter in a way that leads others into unnecessary sufferings. Why can’t you encourage people and say words that acknowl­edge that they have gifts to give? That creates confidence and a reciprocal love, and it builds fellowship. We need to be so flexible in our spirit that we can joke, speak truths, strengthen and bless in an appropriate mixture.

When young people can take over a work that you are no longer able to do, it is a blessing for the whole church. If some of these younger people should become a bit great in them­selves, can you as a leader make yourself so little that they stumble over you? Then, afterwards, you will be able to com­fort them and lift them up again. We must go the way of the grain of wheat. Paul rejoiced over the grains of wheat that were still in the ears, even though they did not recognize who the corn of wheat was that was in the ground dying.

Let us show confidence and goodness to one another. It goes best in churches where this happens. Then a blessing comes, and everything succeeds more and more.