The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts;
and though all its parts are many, they form one body.
So it is with Christ - Now the body is not made up of
one part but of many - Now you are the body of Christ,
and each one of you is a part of it. (1 Corinthians 12:12-27)
The church is the body of Christ. Every Christian is
a member of that body with a distinctive contribution
to make to the life of the body. And the Lord has structured
the church like a body composed of different and varied
members. It is this variety that enables our physical
body and the body of Christ to function effectively.
Within the church the members are different. This is
God's design and purpose. Furthermore, it is God's prerogative
to give us a particular gift or gifts, therefore there
should be no jealously among the members for the differences
are of God's creating.
Just as each of us has one body with many members, and
these members do not all have the same function, so in
Christ we who are many form one body, and each member
belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according
to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying,
let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving,
let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it
is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing
to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it
is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing
mercy, let him do it cheerfully. (Romans 12:4-8)
Within every congregation of God's people the gifts he
has bestowed must be nurtured and developed so that the
church can function effectively. Each member must strive
to use the gifts they have received from the Lord. This
is clearly addressed in Paul's letter to the saints at
Ephesus.
But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ
apportioned it. It was He who gave some to be apostles,
some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some
to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for
works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built
up. From him the whole body, joined and held together
by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself
up in love, as each part does its work. (Ephesians 4:7-16)
The church must engage in a shared ministry where each
member has a contribution to make to the community. Furthermore,
the church must encourage members to use their gifts and
provide them the necessary opportunity to do so. The gifts
we have will minister both to the church and to those
outside the community of faith. When this occurs we will
witness the body of Christ at work in our world. Just
as Jesus intended.
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