Since we have raised the bar and described the working of a living organism spread throughout the world, this living body and all the parts that make it up contribute to the edification of the body. Don’t place that statement in an application of local church work. Envision it as the work of every individual who loves the Lord with all their heart, soul, and mind. The involvement of the body is so extreme by worldly standards that if you could alter your fellowship to include a daily walk with your spiritual family, you would lose eighty percent of your membership. You might be thinking, “Ahh, we can’t do that! We would lose our membership!” Yes, you would be right, but losing your membership in a church organization may be a blessing. If churches chose to disband and integrate a new intensive work in the lives and in the homes of every local saint, you might lose more than eighty percent. Most would not conform, but just place membership in another local church where they can control the amount of fellowship and religion to suit them. The facts are that the masses of church members do not know the Lord and are lost. They have a form of godliness but have denied the power. They are of this world and if persecution should arise because of the word, they will soon separate themselves to preserve their lives. That’s the surest way to know those who are “of us”. 1 John 2:19 reads,
They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
This is not to suggest perfection in any of us. But, the ease with which we share our lives and the comfort it gives, even though a majority abandons us, is worth every effort to establish. The common bond of love and affection is pure and invigorating because we can be open and transparent with those of like mind. There is no fear of exploitation, abuse, or the use of ulterior motives. In such contexts, we are approachable and readily accept admonishment with greater ease because of favorable attitudes of love and gentleness. In such contexts, we welcome a song of encouragement or a prayer for strength and wisdom to deal with the problems of life. We have nothing to hide, but everything to gain to confess our sins one to another and to ask for help to remind us of the pitfalls ahead of us. No one fears the reprisals and shame of others who act as if they are above such baser things (cf. Galatians 6:1).
Furthermore, such fellowship does not attempt to coerce or persuade others to think as we do about biblical teaching. Until such teaching is perverse so as to cause the destruction of others and/or violate the conscience of others, there is freedom of thought and expression. In this fellowship, the respect for individual liberties is shared by all. There is no need to work every disagreement out and no need to settle on any official view of a group with the intent of forcing that view on all others. No man stands in the position as our Lord. To his own Lord, he stands or falls.
This interaction of saints, the called-out, does not eradicate the carnally-minded, but it does not ignore it, either. The saints in Corinth had carnal-minded brethren. Fortunately, for them, they did have spiritual gifts. They were not behind in any of those and, therefore, their carnal mindedness did not affect the content of their teaching. It affected their motivation and their self-seeking positions of prominence and power. Also, it affected their lack of separateness from the world. One man was living with his father’s wife and the saints were taking no action toward him. They were mistreating one another and despising one another. Paul sets the standard in dealing with such matters. Once established, however, each individual will be held to a higher standard that will not tolerate sin. Again, do not misunderstand this statement and place it in the church context. Being held to a higher standard does not mean that there is no sin. It only means that as sin occurs, it will not be ignored. Instead, it will be dealt with gently and lovingly. This is the power of family love. Everyone holds each other accountable and lovingly supports the same work and mission in life.
As brethren respond quickly, such conditions would not continue long because the demand of discipleship requires a penitent heart and appropriate actions to follow. This way of life and response to sin in the family is a powerful influence for good but it will eliminate the eighty percent who will walk away because of unconfessed and unresolved sins in their life.