The Good Body

Sunday, August 1st, 2010
Today's Passage: Ephesians 4:15-16
Memory Verse: Same

As you know, the bible teaches us that we're all apart of one body.  Although we make up different parts ( or members), we all have the same goal, which is to function for the body.  Have you ever seen a normal functioning body; one where its owner eats right and exercises regularly?  It's joints don't malfunction, and its muscles are strong.

What about the inside of the body?  In my opinion, how a body functions on the inside is just as important.  If our cardio vascular or respiratory system were malfunctioning, we wouldn't be able to perform the smallest activities.  What if the heart of our ministry decide it doesn't want to function (beat) this Sunday?  Where would the "life" of the ministry be?  There'd be no passion and probably no worship.  No one would be there to keep God's broken and hungry on our minds.  Who would drive us to want to see God's supernatural power?

Ever try to hammer a nail into a board?  Do you remember the first time you did it?  Okay, when you hit your finger didn't you feel it in your whole body?  Yes, you did.  It's a biological fact that the "whole" body responds when one (joint, member) is in trauma.  What can we learn from this?  We can learn to respond with love and mercy when a member falls.  We can learn to respond with compassion when a member is hurting.  Doing this ensures the strength of the body.  What about germs? Yuck!  But when a germ (or anything foreign) enters the body, there are particular measures taken to eliminate it.  Members don't make excuses for it, or pass by it as though it isn't there.  In the end, we have to do a better job of taking care of our "body".  When we begin to take care of "it", it'll begin to take care of us.

I challenge you to join Christ's body.  That goes beyond joining a church.  When you join the body of Christ, you commit yourself to active functioning.  Your goal is to aid the body in producing after God, showing 'total devotion' to its head - Christ.  Because no body part moves on its own,  every member must receive its instructions from the Head.  The Head tells the arms and legs to move, and it also tells the heart and lungs to pump, inhale, and exhale.  So find your place in the body.  No other member can do what you do.  Join now, the body's waiting.

Prayer: Lord I desire to find my place in You.  I don't want to go through my Christian life sitting idly on a church pew.  I want to do what You've called me to do.  I want to be sensitive to the needs of my fellow members.  So give me the strength to function and produce my share, in Jesus' name....Amen