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8F. The Holy Spirit Life Blood
Blood in the human body is a model of the Holy Spirit's work in the Household of Faith. In 1615, William Harvey discovered the amazing blood circulation system. This reflected the ancient Biblical truth,
"The life of the creature is in the blood"(1) Persons in the Household of Faith are like the limbs and organs of a human body. Every organ, gland and tissue depends for its life on the condition of the blood.
Though blood is not visible through the layers of skin and fat we cannot live without it. The Holy Spirit is the blood of the Body of Christ within the Household of Faith.
Relationship Cement
Like blood in the human body, the Holy Spirit works transparently cementing relationships in the Household of Faith. Without fresh blood, an arm or leg poses a threat to the other healthy parts of the body. When a leg becomes gangrenous because of a blood clot in an artery, the blood is prevented from moving through its veins. When Christian people cease loving one another the Holy Spirit is blocked.
Likewise, when a church becomes a social, historical or political society rather than a spiritual society, decomposition begins to set in. The Holy Spirit matures and develops the Household of Faith. Being "in Christ" means having the Son of God's marks of unity, love, and purpose. By this, God the Holy Spirit reassures us that we are his children.
The Holy Spirit regenerates every cell of the Body and always pours praise upon Jesus. He lovingly blossoms lives by his presence, and rejuvenates members of the Household of Faith. The Holy Spirit within also whispers that another person belongs to the Household of Faith. Paul writes, "The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children."(2) We warm immediately on meeting some Christians but other people leave us cold.
The Active Household
What is the Household of Faith doing now? Is she slumbering, jogging or being caressed? Is she straining to listen or singing a song?
"Worship is the body in song!
Teaching is the body listening!
Sharing our faith is the body stretching!"
The Household of Faith can suffer from lack of exercise on the one hand, and over eating on the other. She may be fed constantly on God's Word but not put it into practice. An unknown poet described the dangers of inactivity,
"He who learns and learns, but acts not what he knows,
Is like one who ploughs and ploughs, but never, never sows."
Christian maturity
Christian maturity is the household's objective, as fitness is the human goal. Physical exercise strengthens human muscles and develops subtle limbs. So outreach, spirituality and love produce a fit Household of Faith. The necessary protein and nutrients for growth are found by the group in shared Bible Study, vibrant worship, love, sharing and active ministry in the community. Wealth, like fatness in the Body, is good in the Household.
Doctor Paul Brand writes, "In the Body of Christ, ownership of property and money is no sin; it is an important function of certain members. And when I liken wealthy people to fat cells, I use the image positively, as an admiring doctor who appreciates the role of fat. Hospitality and generosity are made easier by wealth. Reserves can help the Body care for itself and fuel its muscular activity in a hurting world."(3)
Fallible
Like the individual Christian, no Household of Faith is ever perfect! A bumper sticker bears the same sentiment, "Christians aren't perfect, just forgiven!" The Household of Faith is made up of human beings and is therefore fallible.
In very early times, the critic Celsus reproached the church as "a congregation of frogs croaking in a swamp." The English poet Swinburne is reported to have called her, "the leprous bride of Christ." The Early Church "...was no Pollyanna Community. The epistles of the New Testament describe people and groups that experienced fractures and conflict, anger and division, as well as peace and joy" (4)
Questions for Discussion
1. How spiritually fit is your Household of Faith?
2. How can the wealth of some members of your Household of Faith "help the Body care for itself and fuel its muscular activity in a hurting world?"
3. Are you a mentor to another Christian? How did that happen?
4. What "blood clots" in the Body of Christ can you think of that prevent the work of the Holy Spirit?
Notes
(1) Leviticus 17.11 (2) Romans 8.16 (3) Loren B. Mead, "The Once and Future Church" page l0 (4) Paul Brand "Fearfully and Wonderfully Made."
"You are fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household."
