Members in particular

1 Corinthians 12:27

Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

What a glorious picture we have here of the church—the body of Christ. It is to function as a unit, not as disparate and inharmonious elements. It is to function together, not separately. The body of Christ, His church, is to be a whole comprised of particular members. We are the body of Christ. Each of us make up His body when put together. And we are members in particular. All the members do not have the same office, the same purpose, or the same role. But they each have a purpose. As He enumerates here, not all are teachers, not all work miracles, not all have the gifts of discernment, of wisdom, or of great faith. But they complement one another. All the members, when functioning together provide the necessary parts of the body. Just as our human anatomy is comprised of various and different parts which make up the whole, so it is with the body of Christ. We each have our particularities, which when combined, produce a well-functioning, well-organized, well-equipped church. We should not look on others as less or more than us because of their office. We should not disparage or flatter others. But instead, we should have the same care one for another. Oh, may God help us to have this attitude among ourselves!

This is designed with such perfection so that there would be no schism in the body. If there is schism, there is dysfunction. If there is argument and malice, there is a breakdown of the whole system God put in place for us. Rather than schism, we must have care for one another, so that when one member suffers, we suffer with it; if one is honored, we rejoice with that one. Therefore, let us, beloved, honor each member as a particular part of the body. Everyone is needed in equal proportion. Without one, the whole body is off-balance and off-kilter. It is out of order! Let us remember, that in the body of Christ, just as in our human body, we are particular members, and we are members one of another.

How will you treat a brother or a sister in Christ? It will all be fully and absolutely dependent on your understanding of this one concept—the concept of the body of Christ, with each particular member having their own proper, powerful, and purposeful office. When we understand this, we will understand the body of Christ! When we understand this, we will begin to understand the heart of the Savior!

“Father, we thank you for the glorious church of Christ, the church that is your body. May we gain proper understanding today of what the body of Christ is. May we get a greater and fuller wisdom as we have discovered the truths of your Holy Scriptures. May we all work and function as brothers and sisters in the great family of God, who each have a particular place in your body. And may we give God the glory as we serve you in our perspective roles and offices. Change us where needed today so that we may love the body of Christ, as you have given your own life for the church. In Christ Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.”