body of Christ
The Body of Christ
The Apostle Paul likened the Church to a body where there are different members or parts of the body, each with its own task.
I Corinthians 12:12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
In the human body there are: (Source)
- about 100 trillion cells
- 200 or more types of cells
- 80 known organs
Transposing that to life, it is easy to see that the person down the street, or down the pew in your church, might have a significantly different task from the Lord than you do.
This is why comparison and imitation never work. We are best at what God creates us to be.
II Corinthians 10:12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
Sometimes a human body is injured. Other parts of the body are used in an attempt to compensate for the injury.
Sometimes people who are not best suited to do a job step in and do it because someone else can’t, or won’t.
The best scenario is when everyone functions in the gifts or talents God gives each one. It is best all around.
Even if one church is say, a “heart” church, there still will be differences between members. Think of a human heart. Some parts of the heart have valves. There are chambers. There are places that connect to veins and arteries. In other words, to say the word “heart” does not mean one organ where each cell and part of the organ are exactly the same…similar, yes…but not exactly the same. And each part is necessary for the functioning of the whole.
The Apostle Paul understood this principle and focused on running the race that God had given to him, not the race God had given to another.
Acts 20:24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
Philippians 3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
It is good to seek to understand our individual function within the body of Christ and then continue to tweak that at the Lord’s direction.
A blog post can only introduce a topic but not cover it in depth. For more study on various topics, click here for links to various Christian ministries.
Depending on the ministry, there may be online church services, YouTube videos, podcasts, radio programs, books, teaching, or more. You have to seek out what they have.
No, I Won’t
In a prior post, links at the bottom refer to individuals who refused to go along with a certain agenda, and instead, stood by their convictions.
Basically, these were “No, I won’t….” moments.
In today’s society, things have been structured, and people brain-washed through social media, to take a passive, complacent role in life. No all do, of course, but there is a push in that direction.
The continual messages through phones and other entertainment, is that unless the individuals are the “one”, the big name, the hero, the MVP, that what they do is not important so people are encouraged to flop on the couch, switch on the TV, and watch another rerun. Not everyone does this, of course, but this is the way society en masse is pushed.
However, these same people who are discounted by the politically correct agenda also recognize when something is done against the politically correct flow, and they stand up and lend their voices.
People will stand up and indicate their support in some way. They buy a T-shirt. They stand outside for hours to purchase an item. They wait in line to attend a certain venue.
There is a shift in society where it is being recognized that in everyday life, individuals can take a stand against politically correct agendas; this is not limited to the “big names”.
In a pre-K or K situation, where there are ongoing class parties, a mom can say…No, I’m not going to bring rainbow colored cupcakes. I am going to bring pink for girls, blue for boys, and how many boys and girls do you have in the room? Or, I’ll bring white frosted cupcakes, or yellow frosted cupcakes. A mom does not have to bow down with rainbow colored cupcakes.
Who told you that you had to do that?
Some parents are pushing back against the agenda by going to school boards and saying that we are not going to have certain agendas taught in the classroom or certain books in the school library.
There are more of us than there are of them…but….”them” are more aggressive to push their agenda.
I learned this in 2020 when I did a fair amount of calling for the Republican Party. People would ask from time to time, who is more popular? I would always say…Trump. But I would add this caveat, or words to this effect, but the other side, though it is smaller, is way more aggressive and rabid to get its agenda accomplished.
If the bigger side that desires what are called “traditional values” does not get up and take its stand, in little and big ways, then the smaller, more aggressive side, will win.
We have been taught, and this is a subconscious underpinning of society, and this has already been alluded to, that unless you are the “king of the mountain”, “top of the heap”, the “one”, the “King”, the “American Idol”, the MVP in whatever realm whatever that is, that unless you are that, then your voice means nothing.
All that is contrary to what the Apostle Paul taught. Taught by Jesus Christ, the Apostle Paul explained that it is the whole body of Christ that is important.
A body, a human body, succeeds or fails according to its overall general health. For optimum performance, all parts need to be functioning properly and in good health. If any part of the body is sick, it affects the overall health of the body. It affects how much the body can do.
Just stub your toe. For a moment, the pain of stubbing your toe disrupts anything else that you might be doing.
Or, another example, you can be well one day, fully energized one day, and then the next day, affected by some “bug” and not be able to get as much done until you work through whatever is affecting your body.
So if the metaphor of the body is correct, and since Paul was taught that principle by Jesus, we do know that this is how the ideal world should be working, then it does require the cooperation of every cell of the body working together to win a battle.
It requires just as much the mom who says I’m not bringing rainbow cupcakes, just as much as the sports player who says I’m not wearing rainbow colors, just as much as the politician who stands against rainbow laws, just as much as the baker who says I believe marriage is between a man and a woman so I don’t do cakes for other kinds of unions, just as much the teenager who says it is wrong for boys to use girls’ restrooms.
It requires them all. There should be a mutual support of anyone who pushes back against the “go along to get along” “destroy western civilization” agenda, even if the person who pushes back is on another “team” or belongs to a part of the body that is not the part where you operate.
There should not be division just because it is a different part of the team that is also pushing back.
And really, another part of the body is not going to look like or operate exactly like you do. Does a heart look like or operate exactly like a liver? But both are necessary to the body.
When parts of the body fight against themselves, it is called an auto-immune disease, and is very destructive to the body.
If we are going to beat the degraded attempt to destroy western civilization built upon moral, legal, and Biblical foundations, it must be an “all hands on deck” with everyone participating in whatever realm they operate.
It can’t be left to a few “big wigs” while others sit on the side, watching what happens.
The masses have been taught to do that. Just watch. Be entertained. Leave it to the “big guys” while you sit and entertain yourselves. Let “us” handle things because we are “a select group of human beings” (this was recently said at the WEF).
Years ago, I read something written by authors who considered everyone else “jelly fish”. The authors of that document went on to imply that if the jelly fish have no backbone to do anything, or push back, then they (the jellyfish) get what they deserve.
A blog post can only introduce a topic but not cover it in depth. For more study on various topics, click here for links to various Christian ministries.
Depending on the ministry, there may be online church services, YouTube videos, podcasts, radio programs, books, teaching, or more. You have to seek out what they have.
The Body of Christ
I Corinthians 12:12 (KJV) For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
13 For by one Spirit are 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.
14 For the body is not one member, but many.
15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
16 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?
17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?
18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
19 And if they were all one member, where were the body?
20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.
21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:
23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.
24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked.
25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
In the human body, each part of the body operates to bring health to the rest of the body.
The heart pushes blood to circulate to bring nourishment and oxygen to the rest of the body.
The lungs operate to draw in oxygen that will be transported to the rest of the body because of the action of heart to circulate blood.
The little toe would be interested in the health of the heart, because it is only through the health of the heart that it can get the oxygen and nutrients it needs.
Paul likens the body of Christ to the human body. The body parts recognize, if that sentient verb can be used to make a point, that it can only operate as it is supposed to operate. A heart will always operate as the heart. The liver will always operate as the liver. And so forth….
The body works harmoniously. When it does not, it is called dis-ease, with the dis- prefix meaning “not”, it means not-ease. The body is not at rest when it is ill.
Among mankind, with free will, there can be an attempt to try to be some other part of the body. There can be an attempt to take the place of another part of the body.
In a healthy body, when a cell gets out of line and begins to grow abnormally, that is called cancer. It is not a good thing for the cell, or the body.
A blog post can only introduce a topic but not cover it in depth. For more study on various topics, click here for links to various Christian ministries.
Depending on the ministry, there may be online church services, YouTube videos, podcasts, radio programs, books, teaching, or more. You have to seek out what they have.
The Body of Christ
I Corinthians 12:12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
13 For by one Spirit are 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.
14 For the body is not one member, but many.
15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
16 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?
17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?
18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
19 And if they were all one member, where were the body?
20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.
21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:
23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.
24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked.
25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
In regards to the body of Christ, each church or church member will not function exactly the same.
Some may focus on missions.
Some may focus on local food banks and the homeless.
Some may focus on children’s church.
And likewise, various members within a church or within various churches might have different calls or focuses.
One of the callings of the church is the gift of “helps” and that can cover a wide variety of topics…anything from helping out in Sunday school to weeding a flower bed or sweeping a floor.
The world focuses on diversity.
Jesus focused on unity.;
John 17:21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
Unity does not mean being exactly the same. The human body is made of many different parts. The eye, for example, does not look or function like the hand or a heart. However, those different parts work in unity.
It is important to recognize and allow various members of the body of Christ within various churches to fulfill their particular calls, without trying to either imitate or criticize. If the lungs criticized the heart, for example, there would be a problem in the body functioning as a whole.
One of the tactics of the world, of the atheistic communists to gain power, is to use divide-and-conquer techniques. They try to find a division and focus on weakness and aggravate that flaw and thus weaken the opposition.
So it is necessary to remember to stay unified as one body overall, even if individual tasks are different.
When the church falls into focusing on differences it can be in danger of being manipulated by communists.
Matthew 10:16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
You need a Bible-based church that preaches the gospel of Jesus Christ.
II Corinthians 2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
A blog post can only introduce a topic but not cover it in depth. For more study on various topics, click here for links to various Christian ministries.
Depending on the ministry, there may be online church services, YouTube videos, podcasts, radio programs, books, teaching, or more. You have to seek out what they have.
The Body Has Many Members
This topic has been mentioned before.
The Apostle Paul talked about the body of Christ.
I Corinthians 12:14 For the body is not one member, but many. 15 If the foot would say, “Because I’m not the hand, I’m not part of the body,” it is not therefore not part of the body. 16 If the ear would say, “Because I’m not the eye, I’m not part of the body,” it’s not therefore not part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the smelling be? 18 But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body, just as he desired. 19 If they were all one member, where would the body be? 20 But now they are many members, but one body. 21 The eye can’t tell the hand, “I have no need for you,” or again the head to the feet, “I have no need for you.” 22 No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. 23 Those parts of the body which we think to be less honorable, on those we bestow more abundant honor; and our unpresentable parts have more abundant propriety; 24 whereas our presentable parts have no such need. But God composed the body together, giving more abundant honor to the inferior part, 25 that there should be no division in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. 26 When one member suffers, all the members suffer with it. When one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.
27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.
To bring this concept to life, here is a short video illustrating the point. And this is only with the digestive system. It is not talking about the skeletal system, muscular system, endocrine system, nervous system or other major systems of the body.
The point is, if it is important for every part to be in place, doing its specific job, we can extrapolate from that a bit of understanding on how important it is for each part of the body of Christ to be in its exact place.
For example, in one part of this video it mentions three enzymes. What if only two are present, and not the third, what then?
Considering the body of Christ in relation to the principles of this video helps bring the realization of how important it is for each part of the body of Christ to be in its exact place, not trying to imitate another part of the body, but being where it needs to be in its specific support of the body. And when that happens, the whole body is stronger and functions better.
In a sense, the natural human body has more sense and self-preservation than the body of Christ. If injury occurs to the natural human body, white blood cells and other nutrients flow to help combat the injury. The eyes may view the injury and send messages to the brain. The brain may, though messages sent through the nervous system, may instruct the hands to wash the injured area with water to wash away germs. The various parts of the body and various systems of the body work together for healing.
But in the body of Christ, due to the fallen nature of man, there arises warfare in the body. If one part of the body is fallen or injured, often other members “pile on” and make healing more difficult.
The Apostle Paul said this. The eye can’t tell the hand, “I have no need for you,” or again the head to the feet, “I have no need for you.”
Yet that seems to occur at times.
In a natural body, can a liver say it has no need of a heart? Can the digestive tract say it has no need of a mouth? Can the muscles say they have no need of the skin or bones?
The whole human body is fity joined together, interwoven into one functioning whole.
When one part of the body is healthy, it contributes to the health of the whole body.
The body of Christ similarly must not try to take down other parts of the body, but simply recognize that they are doing a different task, which, when successful, contributes to the body as a whole.
In a physical body, certain parts of the body will probably never have any interaction. For example, a toe nail will likely never interact with a spleen.
But if a toe is stubbed, the whole body feels it.
Only certain parts of the body, for example, the blood cells that carry nutrients and oxygen, only certain parts of the body interact with more than localized parts of the body. In some way, the whole body is connected, but in terms of functional interaction, some parts of the body work in a more localized way, such as the heart, or gall bladder. The blood, on the other hand, flows throughout the whole body.
No part of the body is insignificant. And when each part is doing what it should to the greatest of its capacity, the body as a whole is strong and can do mighty exploits.
A blog post can only introduce a topic but not cover it in depth. For more study on various topics, click here for links to various Christian ministries.
Depending on the ministry, there may be online church services, YouTube videos, podcasts, radio programs, books, teaching, or more. You have to seek out what they have.
God is a God of Order
Photo Credit: Brett Jordan, Unsplash
I Corinthians 14:33 for God is not a God of confusion, but of peace, as in all the assemblies of the saints.
Translators have a certain latitude when it comes to translation. In other words, “truck” could be defined as a pickup, dualie, 4-wheeler, semi, or perhaps even by manufacturer name. When translating from the Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic, translators make those judgment calls, sometimes in committees with extensive notes.
So when I Corinthians 14:33 is translated, some use the word “confusion”; some use the word “disorder”.
In reality, the two are related. Where there is disorder there is confusion.
There can be disorder in various ways: in a church, household, family or individual life.
There can be disorder in the body of Christ, where one part of the body tries to play the part of another part of the body.
There are many ways to approach the topic of disorder. There can be disorder in a sports team, where players are not working in unity. There can be disorder on a medical staff.
For purposes of this post, the topic will center around disorder|order on an everyday basis.
Much more can accomplished the more perfectly you can order your environment and day.
Another word for “ordering” a day would be walking in a certain “way” and the Bible has many verses about way(s), path(s), and pathways. Here are a few.
(KJV) Psalm 25:1 Unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.
2 O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.
3 Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause.
4 Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths.
5 Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.
6 Remember, O Lord, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old.
7 Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness’ sake, O Lord.
8 Good and upright is the Lord: therefore will he teach sinners in the way.
9 The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.
10 All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.
11 For thy name’s sake, O Lord, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great.
12 What man is he that feareth the Lord? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.
13 His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth….
This is intended to be extremely practical on a day-to-day basis. While it is recognized that this could also apply to “enemies” in other considerations, this will be about day-to-day “enemies” in disorder, for example, strugging to find what you need when you need it, or forgetting to pack something that you need for a trip, or forgetting to take your passport to the airport.
This will only be an outline, a lot more could be said, perhaps at some other time. But for now, here are a few helpful points.
First of all, recognize that organization, like nutrition, is somewhat unique to each individual. If you read various books on organization or listen to various organizational teachers, this becomes apparent. One size does not fit all. So find the system that works best for you. These are some general tips and taylor them to what works for you.
- Do it now. Whatever it is, do it now. If you think of it, do it now, or as much as you can, right now. In other words, if you remember you need to call someone Monday, and it is Saturday, at least write a note in a way that you won’t forget. If it is coming to mind, there is a reason. Deal with it now, whatever it is, now.
- If you have the same problem more than once, figure out why and deal with it. Don’t keep having the same issue day after day. Not necessary. If it is a family or group-related thing, figure out how to solve it. Get together. Find the best solution. Implement it. Yes, that takes time to get everyone together to do this, but once you find a solution, your daily/weekly time wasted dealing with that problem over and over will disappear. And if it is a group thing, there is accountability, and that really is better for everyone. Everyone becomes better as they become accountable, even if it is a voluteer organization.
- If you can’t figure it out, find someone who can. There is someone who can give you an idea that you might not be able to think of on your own, simply because you may not have the experience or background necessary. Read a book. Find someone with skills you don’t have and barter skills. If you absolutely are stuck, it is worth it to pay someone who can easily do what you find difficult to do. There is no shame is saying, this is not my skill set. There is no point in staying stuck. Someone can easily do what you find difficult to do, or can at least teach you a few skills to make your life easier.
- Give away or sell what you don’t need. You will find a simplified life is a more peaceful life. Recognize that some things are needed for a season, but perhaps you no longer are in a certain line of work, or have moved, or for any number of reasons, no longer need certain objects. When they are out of your life, you life will be simpler.
A blog post can only introduce a topic but not cover it in depth. For more study on various topics, click here for links to various Christian ministries.
Depending on the ministry, there may be online church services, YouTube videos, podcasts, radio programs, books, teaching, or more. You have to seek out what they have.
Finding Your Place Within the Body of Christ
Jesus prayed:
John 17:21 that they may all be one; even as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that you sent me.
The importance of oneness was brought out in the book of Genesis.
Genesis 11:1 (KJV) And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech.
2 And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there.
3 And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them thoroughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter.
4 And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.
5 And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded.
6 And the Lord said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.
7 Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.
8 So the Lord scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city.
9 Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the Lord did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the Lord scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.
St. Paul likens the Christian church to a body where each part of the body has a particular function.
I Corinthians 12:14 For the body is not one member, but many. 15 If the foot would say, “Because I’m not the hand, I’m not part of the body,” it is not therefore not part of the body. 16 If the ear would say, “Because I’m not the eye, I’m not part of the body,” it’s not therefore not part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the smelling be? 18 But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body, just as he desired. 19 If they were all one member, where would the body be? 20 But now they are many members, but one body. 21 The eye can’t tell the hand, “I have no need for you,” or again the head to the feet, “I have no need for you.” 22 No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. 23 Those parts of the body which we think to be less honorable, on those we bestow more abundant honor; and our unpresentable parts have more abundant propriety; 24 whereas our presentable parts have no such need. But God composed the body together, giving more abundant honor to the inferior part, 25 that there should be no division in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. 26 When one member suffers, all the members suffer with it. When one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.
27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.
In science we learn that for anything to happen within the human body, digestion, movement of muscles, growth, anything, a number of factors are involved. For example, in digestion there are enzymes. There are also co-enzymes which do not do the job of the enzymes, but are necessary for the enzymes to work. And so it goes. Multiple comparisons could be made.
Perhaps the thinking of the world has seeped into the body of Christ. Some people seek to have the most “likes” on Facebook. American Idol pushes the idea that unless you are the “one” winner, that you are the loser.
All that really is not in line with the thinking of the body of Christ.
There are those with the gift of administration. They should be leading in whatever capacity their gifts take them. There are those with the gift of helps. They should be helping in whatever capacity their gifts permit them to help.
If the body of Christ is ever to be one and have the power that is promised in oneness, there has to be a unity that comes from all members finding their place in the body, not trying to take the place of another, but finding their exact place and functioning there.
In reality, in a physical body, a liver cannot do the work of the kidney. The tongue can’t do the work of the hand. The eye can’t do the work of the ear or foot. It would be foolish to even try.
A liver is best being a liver. An eye is best being an eye. A hand is best being a hand. An ear is best being an ear.
When each part is fitly joined together, that is the place of increase.
Ephesians 4:16 from whom all the body, being fitted and knit together through that which every joint supplies, according to the working in measure of each individual part, makes the body increase to the building up of itself in love.
A blog post can only introduce a topic but not cover it in depth. For more study on various topics, click here for links to various Christian ministries.
Depending on the ministry, there may be online church services, YouTube videos, podcasts, radio programs, books, teaching, or more. You have to seek out what they have.