One of the most used metaphors to describe God’s people is “the body.” This metaphor teaches us critical things about our relationship with Christ and one another (1 Corinthians 12:4-18).

Consider four things that Paul’s letter to the Corinthians reveals to us about the Lord’s body.

The members have roles and functions.

  • Isn’t this true of the physical body?
    • Whenever we drive somewhere, the members of our bodies perform various roles that enable us to get to our destination safely. The eyes, ears, hands, legs, feet, fingers, and brain all have functions.
    • The same is also true whenever we listen to sermons. How often do we consider the various members of your body that help us learn the word of God?
  • The Lord’s body comprises various members (Romans 12:4-8). Those members are individual Christians, and they have been given various roles and functions (1 Peter 4:10-11).
  • What is your role? What talent, ability, and work of service has God given you in the Lord’s body? Is it teaching? Is it encouraging? Is it being an extraordinary giver or enduring a period of suffering that uniquely qualifies you to help others?
  • God demands that His people use their gifts to perform their role in the body.

The members’ roles and functions are important.

  • Every member of the physical body is important. I don’t know what my spleen looks like, but it is doing something vital!
  • This is also true of the Lord’s body (1 Corinthians 12:14-22).
  • We should avoid elevating certain members of the body as more important than others. The body needs members who preach, teach, lead singing, and be shepherds. It also needs members who will write cards to the grieving, encourage new converts, visit the sick, and aggressively try to rescue those who depart from the faith.

The members impact one another.

  • When members of the body don’t fulfill their intended purposes, the entire body suffers (1 Corinthians 12:26). This is true of both the physical body and the Lord’s body.
  • This should compel the members to avoid being lazy, full of excuses, and careless.
  • The members should give the Lord zealous and passionate efforts because their roles in the body are blessings from His hand.

The members are part of one body.

  • The Bible never promotes many different spiritual bodies.
  • There is one body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-14; Romans 12:4-5). The one body is the same as the Lord’s church (Ephesians 1:22-23; 4:4-5).
  • How should this impact us?
    • We should submit to the head. The head of the one body is Jesus!
    • We should be humble. We should avoid competing with other members of the body.
    • We should do our part. We should avoid mistreating the head by neglecting to do what He has commanded.

Conclusion:

Are you a member of the Lord’s body (1 Corinthians 12:13)?