Written by Pastor Jack Wellman– Thomas Fuller
The Body Is One
When I say “the body,” I mean the Body of Christ. Paul understood this fact, that “so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other” (Rom. 12:5). “Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one loaf” (1 Cor. 10:17), just as “there are many parts, but one body” (1 Cor. 12:20). We are together as one, and as one we will be together for all eternity.
The Body Is Christ’s
Together we are the Body of Christ, and we will be one body for all time. So it’s best to be with those today whom we’ll be with in eternity, right? Paul wrote that “you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it” (1 Cor. 12:27). As such, He equips “his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up” (Eph. 4:12). Since we are all part of the one Body of Christ and “we are all members of one body” (Eph. 4:29), we should love one another, build up one another, and encourage one another, for we’ll be together for all time.
The Body Is Family
Families tend to spread out and move away from one another over time, but the family of God is different. We have “family” members who are biologically unrelated to us but spiritually considered as family: the family of God. We have one Father and one Lord, and like any family, we are to love one another. You should “remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world” (Eph. 2:12). “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ” (Eph. 2:13). God is still gathering a body of believers and bringing them into the family of God, remaining with our new family and with Him for all time.
The Body Is Forever
God is eternal, has always existed, and will always exist, but we were not eternal until the Spirit of God entered us. Now God grants those who have repented and trusted in Christ eternal life. This building process lays us, the Body of Christ, upon “the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord” (Eph. 2:20-21), and we’re “being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit” (Eph. 2:22). This building will last for all time so that this Body of Christ can serve, praise, and glorify God forever and ever. Hallelujah!
Conclusion
Please try to develop this weekly habit: Every time you meet another member of the Body of Christ, go up to them and give them a big hug or at least a hearty handshake and welcome because it’s best to be with those in time that we hope to be with in eternity. Since we are all one body, don’t just be with the Body of Christ–be the Body of Christ. Amen?
