The Body Of Christ

For as the body is one and has many parts, and all the parts of that body, though many, are one body—so also is Christ. . . . But now God has placed each one of the parts in one body just as He wanted.

1 Corinthians 12:12, 18, HCSB

IMAGINE THIS SCENARIO: A typical Sunday morning at church involves arriving casually late, slipping in and out unnoticed and undisturbed, then discussing on the way home whether or not you “got anything out of the service.”

We’re all at different points in our spiritual journey, but Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 12 that every follower of Christ is called to be actively engaged in the life of His body. Just as a body has different parts with different functions, so does the family of God’s people. Every believer is called and gifted by God to serve in a specific and unique role. Each role is vitally important.

When all of these different parts come together in unity, something beautiful happens. In a symphony, when all of the different instruments work in harmony, beautiful music is the result. In the same way, when all the different parts of Christ’s body work together, we beautifully reflect the fullness of God to the world.

Each member is needed and valued by the whole. We have the responsibility to discover our God-given gifts so that we can give them back to God as an offering of worship and gratitude. We experience God in all His fullness when our engagement with His body isn’t defined by a consumer mentality but is characterized by faithful participation and service.

BOTTOM LINE

As individual members of the body of Christ, we experience and reflect the fullness of God when we join together and become whole. Which part are you?

Moment of Strength: 1 Corinthians 12