Each member Belongs to all the others.

Each member Belongs to all the others.

4For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, ⁵ so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. ⁶ We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.  Romans 12:4-6

The Bible records several imageries to describe our relationship with Christ.  We are like a temple being built into a spiritual building with Christ as the chief cornerstone.  We are a family with a heavenly Father and responsibility to a lot of siblings.  Here in this passage we are told that we are the Body of Christ.  He is the head.  We make us the rest of the body.  The Holy Spirit gives every believer a role to perform in the body.  Each role has certain gifting that allows a person to benefit the rest of the body of Christ.

There is one body.  This can be hard for some to understand because we have so many denominations and congregations.  These groups do not “get along” very well.  Their disunity is so strong that many times they discredit each other as part of the body at all.  One congregation may purport that another group not agreeing on essential doctrine disqualifies them.  So, many have adopted the saying attributed to Augustine, "IN ESSENTIALS UNITY, IN NON-ESSENTIALS LIBERTY, IN ALL THINGS CHARITY”.  God so desires that we get it right in being in unity as the body of Christ.  More about Unity in another blog.

“Each member belongs to all the others.”  Let that sink in for a moment.  As a child of God, you belong to all the others.  Has the enemy ever made you feel alone, insignificant, isolated, or that your life doesn’t matter?  Memorize Romans 12:5.  God’s word says that you belong to all the others.  This means that they are connected to you whether they like it or not.  It also means that you are connected to them, whether you like it or not.

Each has a function to perform in the body of Christ.  That means You have a vital role to fulfill in order for the body to function well.  The Holy Spirit saw you, gifted you and empowers you to perform your part whether you think it is a big or small part.  When you are not living the Spirit-filled life, the body suffers.  The Body is incomplete in some fashion.  It is not able to accomplish everything with the same ease of operation.  Your life matters to the body of Christ.  Know your gift.  Offer yourself daily to the Father to use your gift.

Father, thank you for your wisdom.  Thank you for your Holy Spirit that equips and connects us in the Body of Christ.  Help us today to live fulfilled lives for your kingdom.  Let us not compare giftings in a way that belittles our role.  Every joint supplies.  Help us to do our part each day.