JC Blog

In Christ Jesus we were set apart to belong to God. No longer a part of this world we have been made sons and daughters through Christ and called into a royal priesthood. In the same way, we belong to the body of Christ which is the church. Although the sum total makes up many members we are joined together in such a way that makes us one body. We belong to each other in unity and service to bring the operation of God's kingdom in this world.

Each one of us has been given a special gifting and called to a specific purpose. But on our own we will not accomplish much. Joining together with other believers and utilizing their gifting is what brings meaning and fullness to the body of Christ.

A great example of this is our physical bodies. It has many organs and parts but each part cannot exist on its own. Being a part of the body is what enables the various parts to operate within their function. A heart pumps blood throughout the body, the brain processes, thinks and gives instruction, the skeletal system supports the entire operation and our muscles are what enable us to move about. They all work together to create a living human being capable of amazing things. When there is a problem in any of these parts, then it affects the entire system and as a result the whole body suffers.

The same is true within the body of Christ. We all have different functions, gifting and strengths, but they complement other parts of the body. When operating as God designed us, we are blessing the entire body. When we don't operate the way we were designed, then the body suffers. We are mutually dependent on one another and the makeup of the whole body far outweighs the sum of the individual parts.

Each one of us should consider this and operate as God has called us. There are many parts to the body of Christ and many roles. Not all are teachers, not all are pastors but all have a place. The fact that some roles are not visible within the body of Christ does not mean they are less important. Actually the opposite is true, these gifts are absolutely necessary to the body and hold special honor by God. "While our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it" ( I Corinthians 12:24-27 ).

The great thing about this is each one of us can play to our strengths and the within the gifting that the Lord has given us. This is why we need to renew our minds and prove the will of God for our lives ( Romans 12:2 ). This is how we know what we are called to be. Each part is necessary and each part blesses the body of Christ. We are called to belong to each other.

Today may you understand how you have blessed the body by being called and set apart for a specific use. By faith may you continue to operate in that calling, amen.