12/09/23 REALIZE WE ARE PART OF HIS BODY

12/09/23 REALIZE WE ARE PART OF HIS BODY

Believers make a major mistake by not realizing or acting on the fact that we are part of the body of Christ, both universally and locally.

Being part of something (including the body of Christ) inherently requires unity, cooperation, interdependence, submission. This kind of body-life for Christians is neither optional nor is it fashioned by your own desires.

God likens Christian body-life to the unity, the interdependence of the human body (1 Corinthians 12:12-31). The hand has no right to disassociate itself from the foot or the eye from the ear. Each part of the body plays a part in the successful function of the body. Sometimes a body part is disconnected or is diseased or is dysfunctional, and the body must function without that part, but that is the abnormal rather than the normal or healthy condition of the body. Likewise, when a part of a local body of believers is disconnected, diseased or dysfunctional the local body must continue in submission and service to God.

We will either be a part of the local body or we will be apart from the local body. The choice is ours. We can either accept God's plan, as given in His word, or we can write out our own itinerary, our on agenda, our own job description, our own game plan.

When the foot decides to be the eye, there is disunity and chaos.
When the eye decides to be the hand, there is disunity and chaos.
When the ear decides to be the tongue, there is disunity and chaos.

God is the one Who designs and distributes the ministries and functions of the human body and of the local body of believers. God assigns each part to serve the other parts, according to His will and His wisdom.

A disconnected, diseased or dysfunctional part harms the individual, the local body and the world into which God sends that body.
We have the opportunity to either be part of the body of Christ or be apart from the body of Christ.
We have the opportunity to serve and edify others and glorify God.
We do not have the opportunity to choose which part we will be.
Our place in the body is God's choice, not our own.
Our function is to serve others and glorify God.

The person who chooses their place in the body of Christ (universally or locally), and chooses how they will fit into the body, rather than submit to God's choosing, does not have the Spirit of God. They may have a spirit and the may be spirited and they may appear to be spiritual, but they do not have the Spirit of God. 

1 Corinthians 12:12-31
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.
28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

The next chapter (1 Corinthians 13) addresses the more excellent way, which is love. Chapter 13 does not nullify chapter 12. We exercise our ministries and our gifts by love, in love, with love. The love of chapter 13 is is self denying, self sacrificing love. It is perfect love for God and others. It is obedient love,