Friendship and Hospitality 5

"From whom the whole body joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love" (Eph 4:16). Paul does not give us a picture of each member having a personal pipeline of grace from Christ, each drawing his nourishment directly from Him. Rather, the picture is of Christ as the head; he energizes, strengthens, and blesses the whole body. His blessing is mediated through each of the members to each of the others. He does minister to individuals immediately by His Spirit, but He normally builds us in grace by our interaction with the other members of the body. No one can grow in grace without the body. It is impossible to grow up in fullness of maturity apart from its ministry. Fellowship and hospitality are expressions of our necessary and vital relationships with one another. Hospitality is founded upon the covenant union that exists between God's people. We are one body."