As I was sitting at a traffic light one day, I heard a commercial come on the radio for Lever 2000 (the deodorant soap), claiming it was for ... "all your 2000 body parts." It got me to thinking that if our bodies actually have that many parts, how much more the Body of Christ would have. Which led to, "I wonder what part I am in that body." If the soap would clean all of our outer parts, Jesus Christ would surely clean our inner parts once we accepted him. We were then cleansed by his blood.
Member is the Greek word melos {mel'-os}; meaning:
1) a part, 1a) a part due or assigned to one. 1b) lot, destiny2) one of the constituent parts of a whole. 2a) in part, partly, in a measure, to some degree, as respects a part, severally, individually. 2b) any particular, in regard to this, in this respect.
Collectively, we-all of us-make up the Body of Christ. I Corinthians 12:12 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.
NLT I Corinthians 12:12 The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up only one body. So it is with the body of Christ.
We all have a part to fill, from the youngest to the oldest and from the immature to the mature believer.
I Corinthians 12:18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. NLT I Corinthians 12:18 But God made our bodies with many parts, and he has put each part just where he wants it.NAB I Corinthians 12:28 Some people God has designated in the church to be, first, apostles; second, prophets; third, teachers; then, mighty deeds; then, gifts of healing, assistance, administration, and variety of tongues.
What happens if we do not fall into one of these categories?
We are not all teachers, etcetera, however, we all can give something. If you are a 30 or 60 or 100 fold, give it all you have. Don't hold back. In order for the body to operate smoothly, we all have to do our part, no matter how small or big our function is.
The parts I fulfilled as a child were daughter, sister, niece, and cousin. These are roles I functioned in when I was immature. However, as I gained more maturity and knowledge, I took on the role of wife and mother. So it is with the body of Christ.
We do not usually start out as a prophet or teacher, etcetera. However, as we learn the Word of God, and grow in our responsibility to God, we may become one of these type ministers. Don't worry if you don't achieve these positions, they are not for everyone. Again, God has placed you where he wanted you.
I Corinthians 12:14 For the body is not one member, but many.
How would we accomplish anything if we were just a single body with no parts? For example, take Playdoh®. Until you mold the clay, it would be just a blob sitting there.
NLT I Corinthians 12:19 What a strange thing a body would be if it had only one part!NLT I Corinthians 12:15 If the foot says, "I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand," that does not make it any less a part of the body.NLT I Corinthians 12:18 But God made our bodies with many parts, and he has put each part just where he wants it.I Corinthians 12:22 Nay, much more those members which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:
Necessary is the Greek word anagkaios {an-ang-kah'-yos}; meaning:
1) Necessary 1a) What one can not do without, indispensable 1b) Connected by bonds of nature or friendship 1c) What ought according to the law of duty be done, what is required by the circumstances.
Have you ever gotten a headache? Usually you are able to function, but not as well, because the pain distracts us.
I Corinthians 12:24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked:
Tempered is the Greek word sugkerannumi {soong-ker-an'noo-mee}; meaning:
1) To mix together, commingle2) To unite 2a) Caused the several parts to combine into an organic structure, which is the body. 2b) To unite one thing to another.
NAS I Corinthians 12:24 That there should be no division in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another.
We should care for each other the same. Not "I like you better because we have more in common than the others." We are all on the same team. How far would a team get if there was division?
NLT I Corinthians 12:26 If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad.
When our boys were young and performed in concerts at school, I was the one who operated the camcorder. I liked it that way because no one could see the tears I would cry for joy at how proud I was of the accomplishments of the children, not just mine but all of them who were performing. I was so full of joy to see how far they came from when they started. We as believers would have this same care toward one another. We should be involved in each other's lives, know what makes us tick, when we are distressed or joyful; not to be manipulative, but to be supportive so that our body works together without any schism or division. We all have a job to do!
NLT I Corinthians 12:27 Now all of you together are Christ's body, and each one of you is a separate and necessary part of it.NLT I Corinthians 12:29 All are not apostles, are they? All are not prophets, are they? All are not teachers, are they? All are not workers of �miracles, are they?I Corinthians 12:30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?NLT I Corinthians 12:31-13:3 31And in any event, you should desire the most helpful gifts. First, however, let me tell you about something else that is better than any of them! 13:1I could speak in any language in heaven or on earth but didn't love others, I would only be making meaningless noise like a loud gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I knew all the mysteries of the future and knew everything about everything, but didn't love others, what good would I be? And if I had the gift of faith so that I could speak to a mountain and make it move, without love I would be no good to anybody. 3If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn't love others, I would be of no value whatsoever.
We should honestly look at ourselves and think about what our function is in the body. What can we or do we contribute to the body to keep it going? If we are not living up to our capacity in our function of the body, then some other part is being overworked and stressed, which could result in a breakdown allowing the adversary in! There is always something to do, even if you are not sure yet what your part is and that is love. There is always room for love.
NLT I Corinthians 14:1 Let love be your highest goal, but also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives, especially the gift of prophecy.
We should aspire to do greater things in the body than when we first started out as a believer so we can be all that God wants us to be.ÿ