I have written previously about being clothed in Christ, It is a part of the same thing, being sons of God and being the body of Christ. When we were clothed in Christ we became a part of the body of Christ.
For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgement, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Romans 12:3-5
There is something that is of importance about the body of Christ. It is one of the greatest considerations that we are to have. Jesus said that it is by our love for one another will the world know that we are His disciples. Many times throughout the epistles it talks about our relationships with one another. About how we should treat each other in love. Bearing with one another, forgiving one another.
This is the great theme that runs through the new testament, even in Jesus’ expectation and prayer for His church, That we be one as He and the Father are one.
“I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me.” John 17:20-23
Of course there is the time when Peter asks Jesus, “How many times in a day should I forgive my brother?” Jesus’ answer was,”seventy times seven”. Then all through the Epistles we are taught about the unity of the Spirit and building one another up. Esteeming one another higher than ourselves. Serving each other in life and ministry.
Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love; being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Ephesians 4:1-7
How can we not take heed to this very important teaching. No one should consider themselves more highly than anybody else within the body of Christ. This includes esteeming others more highly, than ourselves or other people. Different roles and gifts within the body are of just as much benefit to all as any other.We are all one body in the Spirit.
For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. 1 Corinthians 12:12-14
Called to serve one another in love, because we are a part of the Body of Christ. We all have different gifts and talents for use as part of the body. Not self use or self promotion, that is not how the body, anybody’s works. Every part of the body has its own function/use. Whether we be an eye or a hand, we are a necessary part of the body.
As such we need to have respect for every part of the body, no matter how insignificant we may see the use of any part of the body. Yet we tend to judge other members/people as if they are of no use compared to others or ourselves. This is wrong, clearly through the teaching of the word of God.
For instance, I may not agree with all the teaching of certain groups within the various groups of the Church, but they do teach some sound things that other parts of the Church may not teach. No one group has everything right. This is because some wrong teaching has been passed down to us all through hundreds of years.
Those of us who are born of the spirit through faith in the Lord Jesus, who is the head of the body, are all a part of the body, for the benefit of each other. We need to exercise discernment in all that we are taught from various people. Trust in the leading of the Holy Spirit into THE truth, ALL truth.
If the foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. And if the ear says, “Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. 1 Corinthians 12:15-18
Patr 2 to come
Be blessed
Charlie
FREEDOM IN CHRIST 