My purpose in the Body of Christ.

1 Cor 12: 25 – 27 But God has combined the members of the body (of Christ) and has given greater honour to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honoured, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

If we all have different functions and responsibilities, then what is our purpose in the body of Christ?

1 Cor 12: 25a “There should be no division in the body “ - Our first purpose is to promote unity - When every member does his/her part and submits to God in willingly working according to the gift of the Holy Spirit that God gave them, then the body of Christ will function in peace and unity. There are too many feet who want to be hands and too many ears who want to be eyes. When this happens, the Body is fractured and chaos results!

Verse 25b-26 “but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it.” The second purpose is to practice mutual care - We are a unit and as such we each have responsibilities, according to our gifting, to the other parts. When another believer is hurting, we need to respond to that need. We are not to seek a position that glorifies self, but we are to seek the good of the body of Christ and thereby glorify God. .

Verse 27 “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” The third purpose is to participate together in the activities of the Body - When a member hurts, it affects the entire body. When one is exalted, the entire body should be blessed by it. When all functions according the gifts received from the Holy Spirit, the Body operates well and accomplishes much.

Together we are a complete body, and individually each one of us is a small, but vital component of a very important instrument in the workings of the Holy Spirit in the body of Christ, the Church!