NO LESSER LIGHTS
In 2 Corinthians 4:6, Paul writes, “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” John Chrysostom said that this glory and light “shines in our hearts just as it shone on the face of Moses.” This heart-lightedness is something that all Bible-believing Christ followers have, and surely to no lesser degree. In speaking light into existence, as Paul refers to, God created the greater light of the sun and the lesser light of the moon (Gen. 1:16). In the church, though, there are no lesser lights. May I transplant that idea into another metaphor – from that of light to that of the Body?
Paul writes at length in 1 Corinthians 12 of the inherent unity within the body and the Body, and of the necessity of maintaining the integrity of that Body’s members, “not because they are attached to the other members,” says Wolfgang Musculus, “but because they are attached to Christ, the head.” Christ, who is the light of the world (John 8:12), declares us to be likewise (Matt. 5:14). Suppose, then, that we are a string of lights on Christ’s strand. Recall the string lights (the ones wired in series): when one light broke or was removed, the whole strand went dark. It’s not a perfect analogy, I know; but I hope you can see that we need all the lights, just like we need all the body parts.
There are prominent or obvious parts of the Body, highly visible and frequently thought of: large congregations, highly polished ministers and staff, intact families, those in their Sunday best. They are bright lights, indeed, and we need them. But there are less-thought-of parts as well, those who shine – but shine differently. True, they are often less visible in the peripheries of our aggregate view of the church, but they are undiminished; they are no lesser lights.
My favorite way to serve at church is through our valet parking ministry, where I get to interact with members who have limps, canes, walkers, or wheelchairs. It’s where I get to see great lights. It’s one thing to see and greet them inside the church building, already seated and ready to worship. But at the doors, I get to see them come into the building – with evident purpose. I see brothers and sisters who get around with far less ease than I do, unhurried but diligent saints who know that their place is with the rest of the body, and so they come, often with great effort, but always with a smile. Their obedient faith and persistence encourage and teach me; their lights shine brightly in the kingdom.
A few of our staff writers have chosen to write on this theme, and I encourage you to read all of their refreshing, encouraging articles. I also asked three guest writers to contribute, and I know that you will be blessed by what they have to say about some of our less-frequently-thought-of fellow believers. Troy Nelson, whose work with ARM (American Rehabilitation Ministries) helps to equip believers in prison, will show you that these believers aren’t merely prisoners who have become Christians (or Christians who have become prisoners), but are fully part of the worldwide church of Christ. They shine in a dismal place.
Jason Corder is a minister and also leads the Rural Church Network. He writes thoughtfully in this issue about the faithfulness of the small and/or rural church and its unsevered connection to the rest of the church. “A small rural church is not a scaled-down version of a ‘real’ church, waiting to become legitimate,” Corder says. “It is the church.” It shines whether we are looking or not.
Greg Morrell, founder of In The Boat Recovery, has worked in ministry for many years, much of it in the areas of addictions and recovery. The Christian recovery community is very much a part of the one Body of Christ, though, as Greg has told me before, it is often unseen – hidden in the basement or a classroom at the end of the hallway. Greg reminds us that “God still raises sleepers from the dead. The Church still helps people dress in dignity.” We are all recovering from something, wanting and needing to shine out of the darkness.
Of course, many other parts or types of the church could be considered here, and I hope you will give thought and prayer to the idea that we are diverse but not disparate, distinct but not divided. We who have been baptized into one body and who drink of one Spirit (1 Cor. 12:13) are united in our call to shine as lights in the world (Phil. 2:15), to live out God’s creative command to shine out of darkness.
I also hope that you will read “Christ’s Unity with Man,” a profound and heartfelt guest article by new Peace On Earth Ministries board member Scott Corner. Additionally, I’d like to point out a new regular column by longtime One Body writer Jim Tune. “Speak Up!” will be his recurring theme, based on his passion for boldness among Christian citizens. Enjoy reading this issue!
