Our physical body is composed of many members: hands, feet, arms, legs, ears, eyes, etc. It is the distinctiveness of each member that enables the body to function correctly. The same is true of “the Body of Christ” of which we are members. The Bible expresses this truth as follows: “…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 in fact the body is not one member BUT MANY… But now God has set the members, EACH ONE of them, in the body just AS HE PLEASED…Now YOU ARE THE BODY OF CHRIST, and members individually. And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.” (1 Corin. 12:12,14,18, 27-28)
The body of Christ describes how God’s people are to function together – depending upon one another. The “Body of Christ” is composed of members who are different. It is God who has designed His body in this way. “For as we have many members in one body, but all the members DO NOT have the same function, so we, being many, are ONE BODY in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, LET US USE THEM: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with CHEERFULNESS.” (Rom. 12:4-8)
Then Paul says, “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, IN HONOR giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly IN PRAYER…” (Rom. 12:11-12) These words imply that significant effort is required to keep praying. I’m glad to say that prayer seems to be a very important function in our Christian experience…
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham