Welcome to Reflections Devotional Week 7 Body of Christ! This week is a reminder that in Christ, we do not stand alone, in and of ourselves- we are a part of a Body!
With that knowledge comes a sober responsibility that we must live in consideration of the fact that what we say and do will always affect another member of His Body.
Knowing that we are each valuable members of the Body of Christ should bring humility and a willingness to cooperate with one another.
With Christ being our head, the body should follow His Commands and work together for the good of His Kingdom and for the tender care of each other.
Sadly, this isn’t always the case. Sometimes, the body inflicts harm upon its own members (we’ve all, regrettably, done it!) and the result is always the same: The WHOLE Body suffers for it and is hindered from doing what God has called it to do.
“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.
1 Corinthians 12:27
Here are some words we need to pay attention to:
Body: G4983 (Strong)– sōma –the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively
Christ– G5547 (Strong)-Christos- From G5548; anointed, that is, the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus: – Christ.
Part: G3196 (Strong) melos – a limb or part of the body: – member.
If you have given your heart and life to Christ, then you ARE considered a part of His Body.
You are not separate from Him. You are IN Christ! Why is it so important to know this? Because if you truly understand this, you will no longer try to act on your own. You have a “head” that is supposed to guide you. You also begin to consider the parts of the Body.
In the past, I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder- my immune system decided that it wanted to do its own thing and ‘kill’ off parts of my body. The result nearly cost me my life! My immune system malfunctioned and rebelled against it’s designated purpose and my whole body almost died.
When the Body of Christ malfunctions, the whole Body suffers
Likewise, when members of Christ’s Body do not act according to their designated function and position in the body, the effect on the whole Body can be devastating.
An arm hurts the leg, and the spine gives out and hurts the back…We’re saved, but we don’t always act like it, amen? But if you are growing in maturity with God, you soon realize that you have a responsibility to love and work with every part of the Body.
When you truly understand that you are a “part” of a collective “whole”- you “move” with a little more care.
Considering that your own movement could easily affect another part that is connected to you, it is wise to take every course of action to the Lord in prayer.
Once, I got a pinched nerve in my neck. It laid me out for weeks and took 8 months to fully recover with muscle relaxants and intense physical therapy.
I remember when I was starting to gain strength and mobility again, I didn’t just jump right back into the way I used to do things. I was ever so careful with my movements, in fact- through physical therapy, I learned new movements altogether!
Sometimes, it’s necessary to sit at the feet of the Word and learn some new “movements”.
God’s word is FULL of instructions on how we are supposed to treat one another, so take some time to study on how you can better love and cooperate with His Body.
You are a certain part with a certain purpose
Finally, know that you, indeed, have a specific place in His Body, you are a certain part with an intended purpose. Some parts are very visible, some- not so much… BUT ALL ARE VITAL o the Body’s well-being. I don’t know about you, but that makes me feel pretty special!
Pray with me…
Father, I see that I am part of something so much bigger than myself- the Body of Christ. Show me my specific part to play, my function within this collective whole. May I move in the knowledge that all I say and do affects the other parts of Christ’s Body, may I operate in a way that pleases You. In Jesus Name, Amen
Dive Deeper
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;
you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body.…” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Words to pay attention to: know, bodies, temples, received, bought, price, glorify, body
I’ll see you next week with another Reflections Truth!
Did you miss the first devotional in this series??? You can find it HERE.
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