Be the Body of Christ

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

God has given us all a specific gift or talent designed to work in conjunction with everyone else to get out there and witness to others in the name of Christ. Our gifts are tailored to our own individual strengths so that we are using our best talent to glorify Him.

Just as each of our body parts has a specific job to do to function as a human and accomplish tasks in our lives, God expects us to use the gifts He gives us to work together as one team or one body as well to get things done for Him. We as believers are “the body of Christ” and it is up to us to allow God to use us to spread His name to others. 

Like our body, the “body of Christ” has similar parts, hands, feet, eyes, ears, mouth, etc… and they are used in the same manner as we use ours. The feet walk and go places, the hands do, the eyes see, the ears hear, the mouths speak, and well you get the picture. We should all strive to be good at all these parts but especially the part God designed for us. He uses the strengths of everyone together to compliment everyone else so we are a stronger unit for Him.

It says in Ephesians 4:11-12, “So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up." These jobs, which are not limited to the ones mentioned, represent another body part to be used in Jesus’ name to enhance the kingdom of God. (See also 1 Corinthians 12 about our spiritual gifts and being the body of Christ.)

What body part are you specifically?

Are you good at getting out there reaching people not in your own element? Then maybe you are the feet. Are you his arms reaching out to hold people and comfort them in their time of need and direct them to the love of Christ? What about the ears? Maybe you the person to listen to others and be a sounding block so that others might feel open enough to let you in so that you may plant that seed of Christ in them. Do you have a way with words? Are you good at speaking and witnessing, or maybe singing and praising Him in worship? Those are examples of his mouth.

The list goes on and on, and if I didn't mention the thing you are good at, don’t be discouraged. Trust me you have a gift and you have a place in the body of Christ. And don’t forget that even though we have a specific gift, we are also every part of the entire body as well. Just because you might not have the gift of doing, doesn't mean you can’t get out there and do things in the name of the Lord. We are all hands, mouths, and ears for God, it is not just the one you are best at. 

So I encourage everyone to start living and being the “body of Christ” you were made to be. We need to be doing God’s work, showing compassion, spreading the Word, helping those in need. And not just in our own little Christian bubble but to the world. We can’t enlarge God’s kingdom if all we don’t reach out to those who do not know Him.

I am sure that many of you have heard the song below, but I hope that you don’t just enjoy it but truly listen to the words. Let’s be the “body of Christ” among the unsaved. Let His arms reach, His hands heal, His words teach and His feet go. It is up to us, God gave us these gifts to use so let’s use them starting now.

Dear Lord, I pray that you be with us today and everyday and that we may open ourselves up so that you many work in us and through us. I pray that we would be your body and play a more active role in sharing your love and promise to those around us. Help us work together to reach others so that they too might join your body and glorify and praise you. I pray we remember that our bodies are not ours but an extension of you, to be used for you. Lord I ask this in your name. Amen.