Living in the Body of Christ – part 4 - Our work

...from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by that which every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part... (Ephes. 4:16a-b)

Each part of a body has a function to perform. The Body of Christ is not a lot of loose parts in a pile. The Body of Christ is composed of parts that are being fitted and held together.

Just as in our human body where each bone is connected to another bone by a joint, so there are joints which connect the members of the Body of Christ. The Body of Christ is held together by that which every joint supplies. And what is that? The “that” which every joint supplies is ministry. It is “the work of service” referred to in verse 12 of this chapter. The proper working of each individual part is the Christian work we do for one another. It is at this point of ministry or service where we are joined.

And it is the proper working of all of these unique parts which is essential. In the Body of Christ each part is employed, by first of all surrendering to Jesus. We must work together under the leadership of our risen Lord. And we must take our responsibility to be faithful in using our gifts with love and doing God’s work to the benefit of all, seriously. Otherwise the Body cannot be held together.

Each of us received a gift and a task from the Holy Spirit. There are lists of gifts in Scripture. There are for example gifts of service, teaching, praise, giving, leading, and showing mercy mentioned in Romans 12. There is another list in 1 Corinthians 12. And Eph 4 calls leaders, people such as apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers also gifts to the church.

Have you discovered your gift? Are you using it in the church to touch someone else's need. Remember, a gift is given to flow from God through you to someone's need. It is “that” service in love that holds us together in doing God’s work well.

Prayer: Take my gift Lord and glue me through service to you, my Head and to every part, every person, in your glorious work. Amen.