First Corinthians 12: 12-27 (NLT) declares,“The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one body. So it is with the body of Christ. Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we will share the same Spirit. Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. If the foot says, ‘I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,’ that does not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear says, ‘I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,’ would that make it any less a part of the body? If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything? But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where He wants it. How strange a body would be if it had only one part! Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. The eye can never say to the hand, ‘I don’t need you.’ The head can’t say to the feet, ‘I don’t need you.’ In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary. And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care. So we carefully protect those parts that should not be seen, while the more honorable parts do not require this special care. So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity. This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad. All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.”
The human body is composed of 11 major organ systems which each contain many parts. Each part within each organ system has its own function, but it cannot function independently from the other parts. If one part malfunctions, the entire organ system is placed at risk. And if that organ system is not restored to its designed functioning capacity within a certain amount of time, the health of the entire body becomes compromised. For example, the cardiovascular system contains the heart, blood vessels, and blood. Although these parts have different functions, they depend upon each other to function properly as a system. If there is a malfunctioning of one of the parts, the entire cardiovascular system becomes compromised which, in turn, results in an increased risk of physical death as the heart is the “powerhouse/engine” of the body. Just as this description brings clarity to the importance of ensuring that we ingest a healthy diet and partake in an exercise regimen to decrease our risk of physical death due to a compromised cardiovascular system, I pray that it also brings clarity to the importance of your function as a part within the body of Christ as well as the result of your malfunctioning… possible spiritual death. Let’s Talk!
As mentioned in the scriptures above, each believer is a part of the body of Christ, and each part is just as essential as the other parts. God placed each of us exactly where He desired for us to be within the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:18), and He imparted certain gifts within each of us (1 Corinthians 12: 28). Just as the eyes were designed to be set within the sockets of the head, you were designed to be an integral part of the body of Christ. Just as there would be a loss of vision and perception as a result of the loss of the eyes, there is a malfunctioning within the body of Christ when you are not fulfilling your part’s function. You must do YOUR part!
I am reminded of verses like Philippians 2:12 and Matthew 7: 3-5 when addressing the importance of ensuring that you do YOUR part. Philippians 2: 12 (NLT) declares, “Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear.” Matthew 7: 3-5 (NLT) declares, “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.” Friend, we must ensure that we are working out our own salvation and free from a log within our own eye prior to even considering looking at the other members within the body of Christ. We must ensure that we are within God’s will and order instead of being interested in His will and order for someone else’s life or someone else’s ministry. Focus on you, and do YOUR part. Strive to become a part of the solution by repairing the malfunction within you which may be inhibiting your part’s full functioning capacity. If you have been placed in a serving capacity as a leader within your local church, serve as if you are serving God Himself! Ensure that you are contributing your very best and have your affairs in order. If you have not been placed in a serving capacity as a leader, that does not negate your integral part within the body of Christ. Speak with your leader and express your willingness to serve. According to the scriptures above, you are tasked with fulfilling your part and working well with the other parts so that the body of Christ will function well. Do YOUR part. Ttyl!
Real Talk with Keve 