Saturday, June 7, 2014

Discerning the "Body"

I thought this comment would be beneficial to post.

Hello Pearl,

This article gives immense information for me; just at the right time. But there are two conflicting thoughts I hope that you can help me understand.
In this article you said: All are given Holy Spirit, but the capacity and assignment of each differs, so the gift of spirit differs. Even those of the body do not discern this divine arrangement presently.

And in the article link on Prophets Within Christ’s Body – in a comment at the bottom - you said: Symbolically, he was asking them to take their own "piece", and "eat it" (accept your place in the body).
This would include not coveting the piece Christ handed someone else. I believe this is why "discerning the body" and one's place within it, is necessary to partake worthily, and avoid entering into judgment.

Accepting the arrangement of the body is not the difficult thing; it is the fear of partaking unworthily for the first time this year without discerning clearly my own place within it.

My prayers and love as always are with you today.
-------------------------------------------------------------------

My reply:

Discerning the body is the realization that each has it's place, including one's self.
One's place is discerned over time.
The important discernment is not immediate clarity concerning ones own place;
but an immediate clarity that we should not work against the place of another,
due to assuming that each part is the same, and that all the pieces belong to us as well.
We CAN accept our place, even before we discern it.

Let me illustrate.
Imagine that there is a children's party, in which each child is to receive a party gift, a favor.
All the little gifts are wrapped and piled upon a table. Some gifts are larger and some smaller.
There is the unassuming child that waits to be handed whatever will belong to him,
and there is the child that assumes that he deserves all the gifts, especially the larger ones,
simply because he wants them.
Such a child may even steal a few before they are officially handed out,
and rip them open in secret.
When discovered, certainly that child will not be chosen to receive the better gifts.
He may even be sent home.
Although the mild and humble child may not yet know what is inside the wrapping,
he has already accepted that the other gifts are not for himself, because he discerns that they will be
distributed as the owner of them wishes,
and the time will come for him to possess what is meant for him.
With this, he is not only satisfied, but grateful.
Upon being observed by the host,
this child is likely to receive a greater gift.

Jesus also illustrated this point...
"7 When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: 8 “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. 9 If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. 10 But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests. 11 For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 14:7-11)

It is not that the man knew which seat would be his.
In time, he would.
It was due to the nature of his humble heart, that he played it safe
by taking the "lowest place" (Rom.12:10; John 13:13,14,15,16,17)
UNTIL HE WAS SEATED BY THE HOST.
This showed respect for the places of others, as well as respect for the choosing of his host (Rom.9:20,21).

Once he was assigned his designated seat, he saw it clearly, and accepted it
(Gal.6:4,5;  1Cor. 3:8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15; 4:5; Luke 14:10; Prov.25:6,7; Rev.11:12; 4:1)
Those shown honor by being given more insight and understanding (Rev.4:1; Amos 3:7; Eph.2:20; James 4:6),
will have a heavier load to carry
(Matt.13:12; Luke 12:47,48,42; John 21:17; Isa.58:10; Ps.37:6; Isa.60:1,2; Zech.14:7; Rev.22:5)
After seated in one's place, a humble service to others would continue,
within whatever place he was assigned
(Gal.5:13;  1Pet. 4:10; Eph.4:11,12; 1:22,23;  1Cor. 4:1,2,7; 12:6,7; Rom.12:5; 14:19; 15:2;  2Cor. 13:11)

If we do not display this kind of humbled love for fellow members of the Body,
we risk being thrown out completely (Matt.22:11,12,13,14; Col.3:14,15,16,17)

I hope this clarifies the realities for you.
If not, please just follow up.
With great affection,
Pearl

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