The church is the body of Christ
For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. For in fact the body is not one member but many. 1 Corinthians 12:12-14
The church is the body of Christ with many functions. I love how God gives us visual aid about His kingdom that is so closely connected with our lives. The fact that the body is an analogy for the church, helps us to continually look at our own bodies and recognize the value and importance of each part of our body just as each believer is in the body of Christ.
Most of us can remember the last time we stubbed our toe and how much it hurt. It made us stop doing what we were doing for a minute until we got our composure back. If the toe hurt really badly, we may not be able to wear closed shoes for a while because we didn’t want anything touching it for a while. Every part of the body matters!
Just because we don’t think about a particular part of our body all the time, it doesn’t mean it’s insignificant. At the same time, just because we put a lot of attention to certain parts such as our hair or our faces, it doesn’t mean that they are more important or valuable. If we don’t have a healthy heart or a sound mind, we are not going to live a full life regardless of how cute we look externally!
Every part of our body is important and as a result we need to take care of it, nourish it, and help it to stay healthy and strong. It is God’s desire for the body of Christ to be healthy and that no one stays behind in being encouraged, valued, and strengthened. If one part suffers, whether we understand it or not, the rest of us are suffering.
There are people whom I haven’t seen for a while who have an important part to play in the body such as being a watchman in the house. They are called to intercede for those things that God shows them in the body. However, by them not being connected, they cannot do their part to supply the need of the body, and in return the body can’t connect and supply their needs. Everyone lacks/suffers because of it.
But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. 1Corinthians 12: 20-22
Paul is writing this to the Corinthian church because he must have heard of their behavior towards one another. Sometimes believers can be as immature as children squabbling over things and hurting each other by making one feel inferior or less than others. That’s sad, and we need to pray that we can all mature in those areas. Nevertheless, just because someone may make us feel not needed, it doesn’t mean that it’s the truth. If we believe we belong to the body of Christ , then other parts of the body don’t have a say to dictate our value or destiny in God. The Lord has placed us there, so He wants us there regardless of how we are treated by other parts of the body.
Joseph’s brothers didn’t see much value in him. As a matter of fact, they were intimidated and jealous of his relationship with their father Jacob, so they tried to get rid of him. However, they could not overrule God. God had placed a specific purpose in Joseph’s life that the brothers could not steal, kill, or destroy. God’s will prevailed. Thank you Lord!
It is important to know our part, so we won’t be too busy looking at others and what they are doing. We don’t need to compare or copy someone else’s work in the body. Even when it comes to similar functions such as ears, the left ear will hear things that the right ear may not hear and vice versa. Just because I hear something different it doesn’t mean I’m right and the other person is wrong. We should all be in the business of helping the body to become stronger by encouraging each member to do his/her function uniquely well!
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