The Body of Christ

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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.