One Body!

One Body!

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 KJV

The Inspiration:

Picture the human body: a complex mixture of parts, which include cells, bones, flesh, liquids and solid parts. Science says the adult body has about 206 bones, and that is not counting other parts. There are parts that we cannot reasonably expose to the watching world, and there are parts that cannot even be covered, if they are to function properly. There are parts we pay close attention to on a regular basis, and there are parts that may not require such great attention to detail on a regular basis. No matter what part you refer to, God has so put the body together in a way that all of these parts then form the human body. No part is more important than the other; all of them must find a way to work together to ensure that the body functions properly. Imagine the impact if a part of the body then fights itself. How would that body be able to function properly? Can such a body at war with itself achieve anything?

The Contention:

If this is true of the physical, imagine the impact it has on the spiritual. It appears that the way God has arranged the body parts is one of co-dependency and inter-dependency. No single part on its own can claim to be the body, and no single part can function on its own without the contribution of other parts. Unless there is an accident which requires amputation, no part can walk away from the body on its own, and still claim unity with the body. These facts are replicated across the spiritual body too; no part of the body of Christ can function on its own and still be a part of the body of Christ. God has so arranged it that no human part can do the work of another part effectively or efficiently without issues. That is why God has designed each part specially, giving it its peculiar shape and impact, so that the body can function properly. Anything else wil lead to chaos.

The Conclusion:

Would it not be a sign of ingratitude if a part left its own role, and tries to copy the role of another part? By playing my role well, I am allowing other parts to function within their God-ordained roles. By staying in my defined space, and focusing on my God-ordained role, I am allowing the body grow properly and in line with God's purpose for the body. Whether hidden or obvious, a healthy body is the sum of all its parts pulling or pushing in the same direction. Am I a part that believes in promoting myself at the expense of the family I have been called to be a part of? The same care for all parts is the acceptable standard. I cannot pick and choose the beautiful parts to take care of; all parts need care and attention. The body of Christ is the same way; it needs the regular contribution of all its parts to make its impact undeniable. Am I taking care of the body of which I am a part? God's time of favour is here.