Originally posted 10/1/20
This week we are going even deeper into our series, our ever deepening relationship with God. We have talked about being a servant, friend, child, and bride of Christ. Today we are going to look at being the body of Christ.
We are the body of Christ
1 Corinthians 12:27 (ESV) “Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.”
Romans 12:5 (ESV) “so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.”
If you have been in the Chirstian world very long, you have likely heard us referred to as the body of Christ. I remember growing up in church, hearing that, and wondering just what they meant by “we are the body of Christ.” I couldn’t comprehend how or why Jesus would need me as a body part, and what part of the body was I? I usually just dismissed this thought and moved on to things I could understand.
Over the past few years I have heard many pastors talk about being the body of Christ and making the point that not everyone can be what we view as important body parts, like hands or feet or even a mouth. Some would even joke that they are the spleen or appendix. Here’s the thing, I believe that God designed every single body part for a purpose. I don’t believe that there is any body part that isn’t important or needed. Of course there are those times when something like the appendix or gallbladder gets sick and needs to be taken out. Sure, we can survive without those body parts, but that doesn’t mean that they aren’t still needed in our body for our bodies to work the way God designed them to work. Just because we haven’t discovered why something, like an appendix, is necessary doesn’t make it any less important.
As a part of the body of Christ, you were created by God to be vital and important. Without doing what he created you to do, you become like the sick gallbladder or appendix, and may even need to be cut out. Sure, the body can survive without you, but we don’t work like we are supposed to. There is a hole, and only you can fill that hole. The work that Jesus wants to accomplish will still be done; it just may have been done better with you being a part of the work.
In my family, we all have weekly jobs. On Fridays my kids and I clean the house. One kid does the bathrooms, one does the floors, one does the kitchen, and I do laundry. When we all do our part, the house gets cleaned and nobody feels like they had to do too much. However, there have been times when something happens and one of us isn’t able to do our job. What happens if I am not there to do laundry? Along comes Tuesday, and my kids don’t have their leotards and shirts cleaned that they need to wear to their gymnastics classes, Wednesday comes and my oldest doesn’t have her outfit cleaned for dance, and by the following Friday my husband is asking me when I am going to be doing laundry again because he is running out of things to wear. My role as laundry person is important. When I fail to do my job, my actions affect other people. When I succeed at doing my job, my actions also positively affect other people.
It doesn’t matter what body part you may play in the body of Christ. What does matter is that you are important, needed, and you doing your role affects others. What would happen if the bladder decided it needed a vacation and didn’t do its job? We would be in huge trouble because all the liquid we drink would have no place to go. Likewise, you and I need to remember that we need to persist in the job that God has given us to do. When we show up and do the things that God asks us to do, we will have an effect on others. Who knows, but that someone comes to salvation, all because you showed up and did that thing you are meant to do.
I know that I have made an impact on others simply because I did what God asked me to do. At the time I didn’t think what I was doing was all that important, but then I would receive a note from someone telling me how much they learned from me and how they are closer to God because of my work. Has something similar ever happened to you?
It doesn’t matter if you think that the job God has asked you to do feels unimportant. God may be asking you to do that job in order to have an everlasting impact on someone. They may see your diligence and love for God and others and come to a better understanding of who God is. Your dedication to even what seems like the most insignificant things may be exactly what someone needs to start a relationship with God or grow deeper in their relationship with God.
Are you a hand, a foot, or an appendix? Who cares! The point is that you are vital to the work that Jesus wants to do. He made you for a purpose, and that makes you valuable. It doesn’t matter what the world or even other Christians may say is important work. The job Jeus has for you is important, or he wouldn’t ask you to do it! So go out there and do whatever God asks of you, knowing that he sees you as a vital part of his ministry!
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