The Covering, Restraint, and Supply of the Body of Christ
And he put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. (Eph. 1.22, 23)
From whom all the body fitly framed and knit together through that which every joint supplieth, according to the working in due measure of each several part, maketh the increase of the body unto the building up of itself in love. (Eph. 4.16)
Subjecting yourselves one to another in the fear of Christ. (Eph. 5.21)
Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Wherefore take up the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; withal taking up the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: with all prayer and supplication praying at all seasons in the Spirit, and watching thereunto in all perseverance and supplication for all the saints. (Eph. 6.10-18)
In this chapter we shall look into a few more matters related to the body of Christ. These matters are (1) the covering of the body, (2) the restraint of the body, and (3) the supply of the body.
The Covering of the Body
As we have seen, the church is the body of Christ and every Christian is a member of that body. The body of Christ not only supplies but also protects its members. The body protection to each member is especially seen in spiritual warfare. Such protection is of utmost importance. One reason why a child of God is attacked by the devil is because he is too individualistic and thus he lacks the protection of the body. How very foolish and dangerous for anyone to expose himself in the days of spiritual conflict. Because such a person is not under the covering of the body Satan is given opportunity to attack.
We should understand that spiritual warfare belongs to the church, not to an individual. The Epistle to the Ephesians is a letter which deals with the body of Christ. In its first chapter this letter speaks of how God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places so that we may know the power of His Son’s resurrection. In the same chapter it also shows us how the Lord Jesus is the head of the church and how the church is the body of Christ—the vessel which contains Christ. How exceedingly rich is the church because she is filled with Christ who fills all and in all. In the second chapter Paul tells us the origin of the body of Christ. Although the church is so rich, she should not forget her former state. She is in possession of such a rich position because of the salvation of God in redeeming her from her fallen condition. The third chapter deals with the mystery of God which reveals how both the Gentiles and the Jews are being brought together to form one new man in Christ. Chapter 4 unveils how God will build up the body of Christ and cause it to increase gradually in stature. And chapter 5 emphasizes the need for us to accept the restraint of the body since the church is the body of Christ. And finally, chapter 6 mentions the armor of the body: "Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand" (v.11). Please notice that it is "you" plural and not "you" singular who are to put on the whole armor of God. This one special armor is for this one entire body. True, each member has his peculiar feature. But only by putting all these peculiar features together can there be the whole armor of God that then makes the body fit for spiritual warfare.
In view of this fact, let us not forget that this spiritual armor is given to the church and not to anyone individually. You as an individual cannot cope with Satan. It requires the church to deal with the enemy. What you as an individual cannot see and safeguard, other members see and guard against. Satan is not afraid of your personal prayer, but he trembles indeed when a few pray together. Some members of the body are given faith in large proportion which then can serve as a shield for your protection. Some others have the word of God in a special measure, and this can stand as the sword of the Holy Spirit. When one or several of them wield the sword—that is, when he or they use the word of God—this serves to help you. We must realize that spiritual warfare is preeminently a joint battle. It is not something that you are to get into singlehandedly. If you go to the fight alone, you draw the attention of Satan to yourself for his assault.
Whoever has not seen the body thinks he is competent for anything and that he himself is everything. Such a person is very easily defeated. A single tree may quite readily be severed from the soil, but a whole forest of trees cannot so easily be swept away by the wind. Satan looks for such solitary and uncovered persons to attack. He assaults the independent and the isolated. But whoever is under the covering of the body of Christ is protected, for the body has this specific function: to serve as a protective covering.
As his special target of attack Satan cannot pick on one who has the covering of the body. But the person who is not under this covering is liable to fall should he ever be attacked. This has been demonstrated many times over by the experience of numerous Christians. For example, there once was a brother who suffered ill-health. Yet this was due to the fact that he was an isolated, independent believer before the Lord. For since he did not have the covering of the body of Christ, he was attacked by Satan for his self-confidence and self-reliance. Let us realize that self-exposure is most dangerous, that self-confidence and self-reliance are extremely perilous. If worldly warfare needs protective covering, how much more is covering required in spiritual warfare! A good brother who tries to act alone creates his own snare!
Many spiritual failures and defeats can be attributed to no other reason than our being singlehanded without the covering of the body. We by ourselves are each of us but one member of the body, and consequently we cannot live without the protection of other brothers and sisters. Even Moses hands needed the support of Aaron and Hur (see Ex. 17.12). If even Moses needed the support of other members, what about us?
The gates of Hades cannot prevail against the church. This very thing the Lord Jesus himself promised and declared (see Matt. 16.18). Yet our Lord has never promised God’s children that they could be independent or leave the church. Spiritual warfare is not a personal affair, it is a body task. And hence, in order to obtain the needed protection, we must go to the brethren. Let us never think of ourselves as individually competent and "go it alone"—for such will only mean self-inflicted suffering.
Yet how can anyone depend on the brethren if his natural life has not been dealt with? It is obvious that the person whose natural life remains untouched can neither trust God nor trust the brethren. No self-dependent, self-conceited person is able to walk together with the brethren. So God looks for people who know the inadequacy of themselves and who consequently seek protection among the brethren. The vessel which God needs is a whole body composed of those who recognize that they are but individual members who are in need of the help of the body. If anyone among the brothers and sisters is never joined to others and always acts according to his own will, that one is bound to fall.
Is there not even one brother or sister with whom you could consult? Is there truly no one with whom you could pray? Let me say that if ever you miss the body you lose your covering and are thereby exposed to great danger. Do not be so careless, for even in earthly war there is the need for covering. In earthly warfare, not seeking for cover when covering is needed is against every sound rule of good strategy and constitutes a dangerous flirtation with death. How very true this is in spiritual warfare as well. If ever you lose protection but do not incur any danger, rest assured that this is only because of God’s special mercy and not an evidence that you are well-versed in sound spiritual strategy.
