Serving Christ: The Church
For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are 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 we were all made to drink of one Spirit. Now you are Christ's body, and individually members of it (1 Corinthians 12:12-13, 27).
The body of Christ is primary image used in the New Testament to describe the church. This metaphor conveys two ideas: 1) the body functions as a whole under the control of the head, 2) the whole is made up of different and diverse parts, each with their own function. This comparison highlights the unity of the church with the diversity of individual members.
The analogy of the human body points to the relationship of the church to Jesus. Verse 12 ends with the phrase "so also is Christ" (notice is does not say so also is the church). Jesus does not simply live in you but lives on earth through the church. He dwells among His people.
It is hard to image a parent, who professes to love their children, choosing to live apart from them. Even in our messed up world we understand this broken connection is not healthy.
To make a decision to live a week separated from the Church is to decide to live separated from the ministry of Christ. It is not healthy.
The true expression of the church is seen as it functions under the headship of the Lord (Ephesians 4:15). Jesus chose to continue His life on earth through body of believers. Together, living as one body, the church extends His ministry into the world.
How are you using your uniqueness to spread the unity of Christ body? Do not miss the opportunities to let God express Himself through your commitment to other Christians.
Matt Emerson
Taken from Discipleship Essentials by Greg Ogden
The body of Christ is primary image used in the New Testament to describe the church. This metaphor conveys two ideas: 1) the body functions as a whole under the control of the head, 2) the whole is made up of different and diverse parts, each with their own function. This comparison highlights the unity of the church with the diversity of individual members.
The analogy of the human body points to the relationship of the church to Jesus. Verse 12 ends with the phrase "so also is Christ" (notice is does not say so also is the church). Jesus does not simply live in you but lives on earth through the church. He dwells among His people.
It is hard to image a parent, who professes to love their children, choosing to live apart from them. Even in our messed up world we understand this broken connection is not healthy.
To make a decision to live a week separated from the Church is to decide to live separated from the ministry of Christ. It is not healthy.
The true expression of the church is seen as it functions under the headship of the Lord (Ephesians 4:15). Jesus chose to continue His life on earth through body of believers. Together, living as one body, the church extends His ministry into the world.
How are you using your uniqueness to spread the unity of Christ body? Do not miss the opportunities to let God express Himself through your commitment to other Christians.
Matt Emerson
Taken from Discipleship Essentials by Greg Ogden