A friend and I recently shared a few thoughts about the Body of Christ that have made me reflect more on that phrase and what it means in our lives.
Who is the head of the Body of Christ? The One who was before everything in this world.
Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see—such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together. Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So he is first in everything. –Colossians 1:15-18 (NLT)
Who are the members of the Body of Christ? We who believe in Jesus as our Lord and Savior.
And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. –Ephesians 1:13 (NLT)
Christ, though He existed before all of creation, became the visible image of God in human form when He walked on this earth. Through Jesus, everything was created and came into being. That includes you and me! Christ is the head of the church, which is His body. The members of the Body of Christ are those who have heard the Good News and put their faith in Jesus as their Savior. They become filled with the Holy Spirit. The “church” is not a physical building but consists of living people! Christ is supreme over everything because He was raised from the dead, the first of many.
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What are some spiritual applications with Christ being the head of the Body of Christ?
*There is only one head–Christ Himself. We are united with Christ because there is only one body and one Spirit.
Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. –Ephesians 4:3-4 (NLT)
*Christ, as the head, has all authority. The head directs the body.
Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.” –Matthew 28:18 (NLT)
*We continue the mission of Christ since we are members of the Body of Christ.
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” –Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV)
The head consists of eyes to see God at work, ears to hear the Word of God, the mouth to proclaim the Good News to others, the nose to smell the fragrant aroma of God in this world. Christ, as the head, reflects these things to the other members of the Body of Christ so we, in turn, can share Him through our lives.
What do we know about the members of the Body of Christ?
As it is, there are many parts, but one body. –1 Corinthians 12:20 (NIV)
Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. –1 Corinthians 12:27 (NIV)
Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. –Romans 12:4-5 (NLT)
Like our human bodies are made up of many parts, so is the Body of Christ. The Body of Christ has many members, and each member has a special function. Our mission should be to fulfill the role God has gifted us with for the good of the Body of Christ. We are united with Christ and the whole Body of Christ.
Being a member of the Body of Christ is the highest calling of membership we have.
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What should our lives look like as members of the Body of Christ?
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. –1 Corinthians 12:25-26 (NLT)
Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. –Ephesians 4:15-16 (NLT)
As the Body of Christ, our lives should reflect…
Harmony.
Showing we care.
Supporting those suffering.
Rejoicing in the positives.
Speaking the truth in love.
Growing to be more Christ-like.
Helping others grow in healthy ways.
Growing in and spreading Christ’s love.
Keep in mind that if we love Christ, the head of the Body of Christ, we, too, love all the church, the members of the Body of Christ.
My conversation with my friend included thoughts on how we don’t necessarily feel comfortable sharing prayer requests with many members of the Body of Christ. Why does this so often happen in our lives?
~Sometimes we let our pride get in the way.
~We feel misunderstood.
~We don’t feel respected.
~We are afraid to be vulnerable.
~We are too scared.
~We fear judgment.
May you be encouraged this week to~
~reflect on your life as a member of the Body of Christ.
~strive to make other members comfortable sharing their heart and prayer needs with you.
~take a step towards asking a member of the Body of Christ to pray for you.
And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. –Colossians 3:15 (NLT)
