Body of Christ: Scene Three
The third scene in this drama helps us differentiate between who we are, the church, and how we operate … the body of Christ. Jesus said,
“I will build My Church …”
The church didn’t just appear out of nowhere; Jesus built it by representing His Father to the world. The bricks He laid were prayer, healing, deliverance, intercession, praise, and worship as He walked the land helping people. When we represent Jesus to the world we should use His building technique.
Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith. Galatians 6:10
Because of God’s grace to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ. Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? 1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16
Paul often used the metaphor of the body of Christ,
For the body does not consist of one member but of many. But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as He chose. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 1 Cor. 12:14, 18, 27
He taught us to think of the community of faith as a human organism that reflects the fullness of God (Eph. 1:22), being constantly filled with Him. The soma or body is a perfect metaphor explaining how we work together.
… Christ, the Head of the body. For He holds the whole body together with its joints and ligaments, and it grows as God nourishes it. Colossians 2:19
When joints and ligaments are working properly the body grows and matures, however, it’s essential that it’s connected to the Head: the command center. Without the head the body dies: no blood flowing through the heart, no air passing through the lungs, I think you get the picture.
On the other hand, when a body is healthy and operating in unity it has the potential to accomplish every task empowered by the Spirit. The heart beats, the lungs breathe, the electrical system fires, etc.
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
When there’s pride or jealousy leading to disunity the body can go into A-fib, an irregular heart beat or experience shortness of breath, therefore, zero energy. The body of Christ requires a healthy diet of Word and Spirit, leaving out one or the other will only result in failure; call on the Spirit for empowerment to build His church.
Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Psalm 127:1a
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