Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 1 Corinthians 12:27...The church is the body of Christ and we are the parts of the body, Christ the head.
Just like every part of the human body has a role to play the same thing goes on in the body of Christ which is the church. The human body is composed of the following parts: the eyes, ears, nose, hands, legs, stomach, mouth and others. Each one of these parts are important and performs an important role. God compares each member of his church to the human body:
For as the body is one, and has many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit were we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? But now has God set the members every one of them in the body, as it has pleased him And if they were all one member, where would be the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of you: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: And those members of the body, which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honor; and our less respectable parts have greater respect. For our more respectable parts have no need: but God has arranged the body together, having given more abundant honor to that part which lacked: That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.1 Corinthians 12:12-25
We all have specific roles to perform for the church to grow. God expect us to perform and not just rely on other parts or members. Can you imagine what will happen if your legs refuse to carry your body to work or if your hands refuse to feed you? There will be a great trouble.
For the church to grow we should know that:
- We depend on each other
For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? But now has God set the members every one of them in the body, as it has pleased him And if they were all one member, where would be the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of you: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. 1 Corinthians 12:12-21
Anything God has given to you is for the benefit of the church. Any gift God has given us is for others sake. The spiritual gifts he gives us is for His church. You may be a Teacher and someone a Prophet and another Apostle and another Evangelist. We need each one of these people for the church to grow.
- The weaker members of the church are as well necessary.
Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: And those members of the body, which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honor; and our less respectable parts have greater respect. For our more respectable parts have no need 1 Corinthians 12:22-24
In God's church nobody is useless, everyone is important to God. The weaker members of the church are all needed. The less honuorable of all the members are most honourable in God's sight. God always take what men despise and use it for His glory. In God's sight the least is always the greatest. The foolish is used to confound the wise. This is the reason why we shouldn't look down on other members of the church whom we think have nothing good to offer or contribute for God sees them more honuorable.
- Having the same care for ourselves brings unity.
But God has arranged the body together, having given more abundant honor to that part which lacked: That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. 1 Corinthians 12:25
A kingdom that is divided against itself cannot stand.Mark 3:24. The church will fail if we are constantly fighting ourselves. The devil cannot fight us but will always cause us to fight each other. If he cannot penetrate he will use one member against the rest just he used Judas Iscariot. God wants us to live in harmony for He sees it as pleasant and healthy for the church growth:
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life forevermore. Psalm 133
Let's support the church in any way we can and let's help Steemchurch to grow in number, love and unity.