Being the Body

For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given us, let us use them…Romans 12: 4—6

If you’ve ever held a baby in your arms, and looked down at that little person in astonishment, then you’ve felt the wonder of God’s creative power. The human body is a mind-blowing feat of divine engineering; its design and complexity are all you really need to make the case for a Creator. Just think about the human eye for a moment.

For an eye to be able to see, the forty basic components which make it up need to be present at the same time and work together perfectly. The lens is only one of these. If all the other components, like the cornea, iris, pupil, retina, and eye muscles are all present and functioning properly, but just the eyelid is missing, then the eye will shortly suffer serious damage and stop working. Or if all the subsystems exist but tear production stops, the eye will dry up and go blind within a few hours. The different parts need each other, and when everything works, a person has vision, without having to try. Take one part away, though, and there’s trouble.

There are a number of ways that the Bible talks about the church. One of the most profound descriptors for the church is the one that Saint Paul uses in his letter to the Roman Christians. He writes, “…we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.” You’ve probably heard that description before—we are one body in Christ, or the church is the body of Christ in the world—you’ve heard that, I’m guessing, but did it sink it? Do you believe that? Do you understand yourself as being part of something bigger than yourself? Since you are part of this body—or else you wouldn’t be here right now—do you know what your function is within this body?

Thinking of ourselves as parts of a singular body, in which we belong to and rely on each other is a challenge. It goes against the grain of how we normally like to operate, which is to say, as free agents. Our culture honors the rugged individual. Our culture cheers for the person who says, ‘right or wrong, I did it my way.’ But the culture of Christ and the Word of God take us in a much different direction. The Bible honors our individuality—we are uniquely created and adopted one by one in the waters of baptism—and yet we are never just an individual. Paul says, “…we, though many, are one body in Christ.” Because we are baptized and because we believe in Christ, we are part of something beyond ourselves. It isn’t a matter of wanting to be part of it or trying to be part of it; it just is. Paul’s words: “…we…are one body in Christ…” means that together, each one of us is playing a part in presenting Jesus Christ to our world. There are privileges that go with that. There are benefits that go with that. And there are responsibilities that go with that, which is where Paul is going when he writes, “…we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.”

Do you see where he’s going with that? A finger is no good without a hand. A hand is no good without an arm. An arm by itself won’t get anywhere without a shoulder, and so on. The parts of the body need each other. The parts of the body of Christ need each other. When one part hurts, the whole body hurts with it. When a part is in good shape, it helps the other parts along. We are those parts! God’s Word calls you today to embrace being a member of the body of Christ—to make that central to who you are. Why would somebody do that? Because not only can you gain support and help from being part of that body, but you gain a purpose. You gain a mission. You need this. You need to feel that your life has value and meaning. Being a member of Christ’s body provides that in a way nothing else can. Being a member of Christ’s body attaches you to the actions and activity of Jesus Christ. What does that mean? It means this: Jesus came to save people from hell and redeem His creation. As a member of the body of Christ, you’re an agent of that salvation; you’re a conduit of forgiveness and love that comes from Christ Himself. You are! You really are! Paul says it. We are one body in Christ. Do you realize it? Do you embrace it? Do you live it?

Saint Paul tells us how to live it. He goes on to describe what being the body means in practical terms. He writes: “Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.”

Do you have the gift of prophecy? Can you tell others what God has said in the Bible? Use that gift. Do you have the gift of service? Can you gladly put the needs of others before your own? Use that gift. Do you have the gift of teaching? Can you explain the truth of God in a way that helps others understand? Use that gift. Do you have the gift of exhortation? Can you encourage and motivate others in their walk with God? Use that gift. Do you have the gift of generosity? Do you happily participate in funding the mission of the Church? Use that gift. Do you have the gift of leadership? Can you influence others to follow Jesus faithfully? Use that gift? Do you have the gift of performing acts of mercy? Then use that gift.

The body of Christ does not sit around doing nothing; nor does it exist primarily to serve itself. The body of Christ is active; it is busy looking for people to help and love and save. You are a part of this. You have a gift to give and a unique role to play. It is time to witness to the truth of Jesus Christ. It is time to witness to His power and forgiving love, and to back up our words with actions. It is time to be the body of Christ. Our world needs it. We need it. He will do it.