I am a member of Christ’s body.

“Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.” 1 Corinthians 12:27

Let me begin here by repeating a paragraph from a previous post.

A good illustration would be to think of immersing a glass in the ocean. The ocean is in the glass AND the glass is in the ocean. Likewise when we receive Christ, the Bible says that two things happen. One, that Christ, by His spirit comes into us. 1 Corinthians 6:19 “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God?” and two, according to Romans 6:3, we come “into Christ”. We all share His Spirit, and collectively we become the “body of Christ.”  “For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 12:13

Jesus ascended into heaven to the right hand of the Father. However, since now His Spirit lives in us, influencing the things we say and do, we together are His “body” in the world – His hands and feet, so to speak. His mouthpiece. The vehicle through which He lives on earth and accomplishes His will . . . loving people and bringing them to Himself to be saved.

Since it is not just one of us but all believers together, we are also uniquely tied to one another. One in Spirit, in purpose, and in love.

“that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.” 1 Corinthians 12:25–26

All are important, all are valuable.  If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable.” 1 Corinthians 12:19–22.

And of course, being a member of Christ’s body means He will take care of us.  “For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, 30 because we are members of his body.” Ephesians 5:29–30

Having Christ’s Spirit living in us and through us, being part of a caring fellowship, and Jesus Himself seeing to our needs. Yes indeed, membership has its privileges!