One Body Life

Paul’s call to “deny yourself” was never meant to divide — it was meant to dismantle the walls that keep us apart. In part 2 of Paul’s Experience of the Cross in a Polarized World, we look at how dying to our preferences and political labels opens the way for true ekklesia: staying at the table, valuing unity over being right, and becoming “all things to all men.” Read the full reflection by Henry Hon and join the conversation: https://wix.to/lWD4NNK

Paul’s Experience of the Cross in a Polarized World (part 2) Historically, "deny yourself" is often misapplied to personal holiness, causing judgment and division. However, Paul’s experience of the cross was a profound denial of his own preferences and cultural biases to create the ekklesia. By becoming "all things to all men," he modeled flexibility as the...

The cross is bigger than personal holiness—it breaks down walls of spiritual pride and coerced uniformity. Read how the cross levels the ground to form One New Man: a diverse, unified ekklesia where differences thrive in love. Read more: https://wix.to/FPKTP7h

The Cross Slays Spiritual Pride and Forced Uniformity The cross of Christ is often viewed narrowly as a tool for personal salvation and sanctification, which can inadvertently foster spiritual pride and coerced uniformity. However, a contextual reading reveals its real scope as a horizontal instrument designed to abolish enmities. Instead of creating "...

What actually happens when we gather? 🤔

In the "church" system, we go to be ministered to by the pastor, choir, or programs. In the Lord's Ekklesia (Democratic Assembly), we participate and receive fellowship with those different from us.

Chapter 1 of One Ekklesia describes the assembly as being gathered in "oneness by shared life and shared faith." It’s participatory and Spirit-filled. It’s not about being a spectator in a seat; it’s about being a functioning member of the Body.

When we gather under the headship of Christ, every member brings something of Him to the table. That is the beauty of the Democratic Assembly!

CTA: Describe your "ideal" gathering of believers in just three words. 🕊️

🏛️ Discover the radical history of the Lord’s Ekklesia and how it changes the way we gather. Access the One Body Life Library for free eBook versions of our primary texts: https://books.onebody.life/

Did you know that the word "church" never actually came from the lips of Jesus? 🤯

When Jesus said, "I will build my..." in Matthew 16:18, He used the Greek word Ekklesia. At that time, an ekklesia was a secular term for a Democratic Assembly of citizens. It was a gathering where everyone had a voice and a stake in the community.

Over centuries, the word was replaced with "church"—a term that often points to a building or a rigid hierarchy. But as we explore in One Ekklesia, Jesus didn't come to build a religious "it"; He came to build a living "us."

CTA: Does "Democratic Assembly" sound different to you than "church"? Tell us why in the comments! 👇

🏛️ Discover the radical history of the Lord’s Ekklesia (His Democratic Assembly) and how it changes the way we gather. Access the One Body Life Library for free eBook versions of our primary texts: https://books.onebody.life/