The Body

"Our conduct is an advertisement for or against Jesus Christ. That's why unity in the body of Christ is so important" (Elizabeth George).

1 Corinthians 12 deals with a significant problem in the church at Corinth, which is still a problem today: division. In 1:10, 4:6, and chapters 6 and 11, the apostle addresses their disunity. One thing they divided over was arguing over who had the best spiritual gifts. His point in this chapter is that no matter your gift, we all have the same Spirit (v.11) and need each other (vv.15, 18). Using the illustration of the body, he makes three crucial points. 

First, there should be no division (vv.21ff). To illustrate this, he refers to the body's interdependence. Just as no part of the human body can survive independently, neither can we survive spiritually apart from the church.

Second, there should be the same care for one another (vv.25ff). The word in the original language means we should be concerned about one another. He describes how that should look in verse 26. If one suffers, all suffer. If one is honored, all rejoice. When I am sick, my entire body is ill. When I receive an award, all of me is honored. The same must be true with the body of Christ.

Third, there should be an understanding of what He is talking about (vv.27ff). This is not just a biology text. What Paul is talking about is the body of Jesus - the church. Just like every part of my body needs the body to live, we need the rest of us to survive spiritually. Just as every body part is connected, we should all be connected.

So, today, get a check-up. See how spiritually healthy (or sick) you are making the body. Are you adding to the body's health, unity, and care by the way you treat, talk to, and post about others? Or are you causing a cancer to grow by putting yourself above the whole? Self-sacrificing love is the answer. The love that cares more for others than self is the cure. That is what he will get to in 1 Corinthians 13. So, today, take the time to remind yourself of how important your church family is, and think of some ways you can show love to the rest of the body of Jesus! I love you, and God does too!

Corey Sawyers is the preaching minister for the Martin Church of Christ and an adjunct instructor for Bear Valley Bible Institute. He is Melody's husband and Daddy to Garrett (and Bailey), Gordon (and Lauren), and Gannon. I pray for unity in our country, county, communities, and the church!