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 Scripture Reading : Romans 12:5

So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.

The great incentive to peace and unity among Christians is the knowledge of our relationship to Christ and to one another. The moment we trust and obey Christ, accepting the Gospel of Christ and are born again¹, we become His property and, as our verse says, we become a part of His body. This chapter, as well as 1 Corinthians 12 and other portions of the New Testament, liken this body of Christ to the human body. As the parts of our bodies are closely related one to the other, even so all Christians are closely linked to Christ and to one another. He is head of the church², and as the various members of our own bodies are linked to each other, so we are linked to Christ and to one another.

The Wonderful human body

The human body is an interesting and wonderful organism. It is composed of millions of little cells, each having its particular function. These cells unite in various combinations to form larger parts of the body. So we have internal and external organs. Within we have blood, tissues, muscles, heart, lungs, intestines, stomach, liver, etc. Externally we have skin, hands, feet, arms, legs, eyes, nose, mouth, etc.—all united together to make one body; all completely controlled by the head.

A great number and variety in Christ’s body

Even so we have a great number and variety of members in the body of Christ. If we could count those now living, and those who have already gone on to the next life, along with those yet to be saved, the total would no doubt reach into the mega-millions. And, what a variety—all nationalities, colors, and races. The hosts of the redeemed, rich or poor, educated or illiterate, high or low in social life, stalwart in character, or weak in the faith, black or white, Jew or Gentile, all merge into one vast unity called the body of Christ. Some may think of them as isolated units, but the Lord looks on them as one grand whole. Let us never forget, every born again person the world over is a member of the body of Christ, a member of the same body in which Christians in your city are a member.

Appearances differ

The members of our bodies differ greatly in appearance and color. How different in structure and appearance are our eyes from our ears. Apart from the paired parts, every member of our body differs radically in appearance from every other member. Also, as individual Christians we vary greatly in appearance. Some are small, same are large; some are good looking, some are not. Regardless of external appearances, every born again Christian is equally a member of Christ's body.

The color of the skin

Skin color makes a great difference with the world, and sad to say with some Christians as well. None of us despise a flower because of its color. Why despise a human because of color? Black flowers are rare gems in the floral kingdom. Thank the Lord for Christians of color. After all, the skin is a small part of the human body. Skin color is formed by a chemical called "melanin," which has the purpose of keeping out dangerous ultra violet rays. Thereby, in God's wisdom, people living in the tropics are provided with a permanent sun shade. Should we think less of them because of God's wise provision? Regardless of appearance, ability, or character, let us cherish each Christian as we would a member of our own body.

The head controls

All parts of the human body are controlled by the head. Not a finger moves apart from instructions from the brain. Even internal organs such as the heart and the lungs are controlled by nerve impulses from the brain. The heart does not take a single beat without instructions from the head. Christ is the head of His body, the church (Eph. 5:23; Col. 2:19). How wonderful it would be if each member of His body sought to be controlled solely by Him. There are two agencies given for the guidance of each Christian; the Word of God, and the Spirit of God. If we are to live well-pleasing to our Head, we must know the Word of God and be willing to walk in its way. When unqrieved, the Spirit of God dwelling within each of us will apply that Word to our hearts and lead our every footstep. What a powerful force in the world the body of Christ would be if each member sought to be so directed.

Special work for each

Each part of the human body has its own special work and is always content to do it. It never attempts to do the work of other members unless these members are incapacitated. In the circus people walk on their hands. We once read of a young woman who could do marvelous things with her feet, because she had no arms. The blind read brail with their fingers and the deaf speak with their hands. However, under normal conditions each part of our body is content to do the work for which it was formed.

Each Christian receives special gifts

So it should be in the body of Christ. The Lord saves each one of us to perform special tasks for Him. This is the subject of Romans 12:6-8. “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them:” and so it goes on to speak of the gift of ministering, teaching, exhorting, giving, ruling, and showing mercy. Whatever our gift may be, we are not to bury it, but we are to use it continually and wisely. Remember, whatever good we may have received from the Lord, we are to use it for Him and our fellow Christians.

Use our gifts for God

Each local church of our Lord could be and should be a miniature of the body of Christ. If each Christian would seek to learn his place, and then work at it; the work of God would certainly prosper. What is your gift? Not all are cut out to be preachers, but other work is equally important. The tongue is of no value for speaking if there are no ears to hear. It may be that your work is to get hearers to come and hear the Gospel—a great and worthy work. With the advent of the Internet, it may be your work to technically assist in developing websites, placing God’s Word online and sharing the Gospel of Christ with millions around the world.

All work important illustration

During World War II, many soldiers spent time in various Service Men's Center's around the world. It was not uncommon for hundreds of service men to gather in one. One soldier wrote home about a doorman who stood in front of one of the Centers, inviting people to come in for relaxation and a free lunch. As they came in, he spoke to them about their souls, and many accepted and obeyed the Gospel of Christ. He wrote that the doorman said to him, "I am no good in speaking to you personally, but I can invite you in to hear someone who can talk about Jesus." The soldier wrote in his letter that in his opinion this doorman was “the most important man around here; if it were not for him I would be a Marine without hope." Apparently, many were told about our Lord in that canteen; all the soldiers got good food and good conversation about Jesus. In his letter home the soldier wrote about the ladies, and said: "Without the lunch they served, no soldier would have come in." This group was obviously respected because so many were given a chance to think about Jesus Christ before facing death in the fierce battles fought.

Another all work important illustration

We received the below touching email from Steve, a prisoner who speaks of a prison guard who led him to Jesus through someone else:

I was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor in my colon. They said the only thing they could do was cut out a big part of it and put a bag on my side until they got artificial tubing. But I told them no. I lost my desire to live and kept thinking about dying. One of the guards led me to your stories. I started listening to the voice of the lady called Ms Nell talking about Jesus who is a much more powerful doctor and goes anywhere I go and He's been in prison with me all these 15 years and He'll be with me when the end comes. I finished her stories about Jesus and last Friday I started listening to her stories about going home. The more I listen to the first story the more I believe that God sent her. I want to go home with Jesus more than anything. How could she know what I needed? Only God knew, so He must have sent that sweet voice to tell me how. Even though he read the verse in the Bible book of Acts, the Chaplin was against my baptism and told the warden that I was ready to meet God. But the guard believed the Bible verse Ms Nell led me to and convinced the warden to let me be baptized and last Sunday afternoon the guard put me in the water and now I'm ready to go home and be with Jesus. Thank you and please thank Ms Nell for telling the one Bible story I needed to hear and for being like a loving mother to me.   

Following is a later response received from Jerry, the prison guard:

Being a prison guard for over ten years, I have experienced lots of bad things, but your stories about Jesus and the way home have given me hope and strengthened my ability to cope with all the violence and evil. For more than four years one of my best friends was a prisoner. As a direct result of the Pentecost story by Ms Nell and after some trouble with the system I was blessed to be able to baptize him into Christ. He wrote you about his colon cancer and that he had refused surgery knowing that it would mean his death. Over the years I came to know Steve as a God-fearing man who wanted to know more about the Bible and we often studied together and became friends. I wanted you to know that he recently died in peace. His last comment was, “Jerry, I’m going home.” Thank you for giving me a source of study material about Jesus that is second to none. Because of you I am eager for the chance to talk to others about Jesus Christ.

Even attending a meeting

A Christian once said, "Why should I attend a Gospel Meeting? I’m saved." An old servant of God remarked, "Brother, if you only fill an empty seat and encourage the preacher, you will have served well, for a crowd usually draws a crowd, and you may help bring one to Christ by just attending." Certainly one can also pray for the speaker and the unsaved. Besides, a Gospel Meeting or special church gathering would have to be poor indeed, if a Christian could not get some help from it.

Do not intrude illustration

One should be careful not to intrude into places for which he/she has no gift. Some congregations do not leave everything to the preacher, as so many do. A great and growing congregation will leave room for the exercise of those Christians with gifts, as we read was the case in the early church (1 Cor. 12, 14). This usually works surprisingly well and is orderly, but occasionally things do get out of hand. One brother thought he was gifted above others to teach, and often arose in Bible School to speak, wasting much class time—boring instead of helping those attending. The teacher spoke to him, attempting to explain that his ministry was not edifying, and he left in a huff. After some weeks of absence he returned and for a time was quite. But slowly he again started the same thing. Once again the teacher privately spoke to him. This time he left never to return, and for a time spoke ill-will about the whole congregation to all who would listen.

Hard workers

All parts of the human body work; some working very hard. For instance, the heart starts working before birth and never stops night or day until death. It has been called the greatest machine in the world. The amount of blood it plumps in a day is astounding, averaging 8,750 quarts. Other internal organs such as the kidneys and liver are hard workers, too. The eyes are busy every wakeful moment, and some people's mouths seldom close, some even talking in their sleep. In the church we have three types: workers, jerkers, and shirkers. The church needs workers—hard workers. Which are you? A towboat Christian—not going along unless pulled? A sailboat Christian—only going in fair weather? A steamboat Christian—going under all circumstances?

Work in harmony

The human body works in harmony. One part does not strive to outdo the other. Each part functions in relation to every other part. We should be thankful that one foot steps out first and then the other, or we would be leaping like the kangaroo. One hand holds the nail while the other drives it with a hammer. When Christians work well together, each doing the work they are able to do, the work is sure to prosper. The Bible always pictures the church as an organism, but too often Christians seek to make it an organization. This hinders the Spirit³ from controlling as He would like. Certainly Christians should not strive to outdo each other.

Work for the good of the whole

All parts of the body work together for the good of the whole. The eye does not see merely for itself, but for the whole body. So it is with the ear, the tongue, or any other organ, whether internal or external. When one member is injured or sick, the others immediately come to its help. "And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it" (1 Cor. 12:26). One hand washes the other. We can do without some members if we must, but no one wants to miss an eye, a tooth, a finger, or a leg. As soon as one part is weak or gone, other parts immediately take over as best they can. As Christians, do we live for self or for the good of others? Do not say, "I am nothing," and sit still and do nothing. Say rather, “I am nothing in and of myself, but can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me,” and then live to serve others. Let us remember our relationship in Christ. As one blood flows to all parts of our body, so the blood of Christ avails for every member of His body. As He laid down His life for us, so we should lay down our lives for the good of others (1 John 3:16).

No envy in the human body

There is no envy in the human body. Our internal organs are completely out of sight, but they are not jealous of the eyes which see the world. Our ears are content never to be heard, only to hear. Are we envious of the one who is asked to pray, lead singing, or preach? Let us say, "If the Lord wants me to play second fiddle, or third for that matter, I am ready." "Now godliness with contentment is great gain" (1 Tim. 6:6). Let us learn to be happy when our brother is exalted above ourselves and to be content with such things as we have (Heb. 13:5).

Not injurious but helpful

There is no fault finding, bossing, quarreling, or fighting in the human body. If you are right handed, your left hand never complains because your right hand does all the writing; it is content to hold the paper. Your feet never try to tell your mouth what to say; they are content to go where the head tells them to go. Nor do the feet quarrel about which should step out first. Your right hand has never purposely injured your left. As Christians in the body of Christ, let us not be the kind who always find fault, boss, quarrel, and are striving. Let us in no way berate or injure any of the Lord's people, but rather help them. No one serves God by contending for the faith in a spirit of hatred, anger or bitterness.

Divisions

In the light of all this, how sad to see the church of our Lord, the Body of Christ, break into fragments and split apart by opposing factions. Satan is a hard worker, doing his utmost to hinder all work for the Lord. If he cannot conquer by corrupting doctrinally, he will try to do so though personalities, attacking at the weakest point. If the truth of the one body rule our every action as individuals, then there will be no trouble in the Lord’s church. If this truth is understood, then we are lead to strong and deep Christian fellowship and will not demonstrate the exceeding sinfulness of selfishness, envy, fault finding, quarreling, strife, and divisions. When a feeling against any of our brothers or sisters in Christ arises, let us stop and remember that we are “members of one another.”

Footnotes:

¹ For more information on salvation, see God’s Salvation in A Religion Library section of StudyJesus.com.

² For more information on the church, see God’s Church in A Religion Library section of StudyJesus.com.

³ For more information on the Holy Spirit, see God the Spirit in A Religion Library section of StudyJesus.com.