Many Members

For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

I Corinthians 12:12

How do we fit in to the larger scheme of things when it comes to the discussion of the Body of Christ?  When we speak of the Body of Christ, we are referring to all of the redeemed of all ages.  Paul has quite a lot to say on this topic.  By using the illustration of the human body, Paul makes many things clear to us about how we relate to each other.  In our text he speaks of the unity of all believers by saying, ‘the body is one.’  He speaks of the diversity, which exists within the Body, by saying that it has many members.  He goes on to explain, ‘all the members of that one body, being many, are one body.’  To complete his point, Paul says, ‘so also is Christ.’  We can observe the human body and draw a number of conclusions, which will help us understand how we fit in to the Body of Christ.  Not all body parts look the same, nor do they all perform the same function.  The most important parts of the body, what we call the vital organs, are veiled behind the outer portions.  The skeletal structure, which upholds the whole mass, is again hidden from view.  So, the Body of Christ is a complex whole with many functioning parts.  As we consider this over time, we marvel at the wisdom of God to set before us such a vivid illustration.  We all have a role to play within the body and fit into our appointed place.

Our Wise, Creating God,
we rejoice that You have formed us into the Body of Christ.
we praise You that as we are able to better understand
how we fit into that body,
we will be better able to serve in the role we play.

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning