We had a guest pastor this Sunday and though his sermon was about prayer and a very good sermon, it was some opening comments that struck me. He said he loved the body of Christ, and even if it can be a challenge, we should too. He pointed out that even among the apostles, Jesus had called people who wouldn’t normally get along with each other. So here I am, seeking how to follow Christ.

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.‬‬

Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭3‬-‭5‬ ‭ESV

We are connected, not just to Jesus, but to each other. Our differences contribute to the way we function together.

The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit.

But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it.

In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary.

All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.

1 Corinthians‬ ‭12‬:‭12‬-‭13‬, ‭18‬, ‭22‬, ‭27‬ ‭NLT‬‬

There isn’t a qualification that tells us we have to be like everyone else in the church, or even be liked by everyone else in the church, but we are called to unity.

Make every effort to keep the oneness of the Spirit in the bond of peace [each individual working together to make the whole successful]. There is one body [of believers] and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when called [to salvation]— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all who is [sovereign] over all and [working] through all and [living] in all.‬‬

Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭3‬-‭6‬ ‭AMP

We should love the body of Christ as Jesus loves us. Scripture reminds us that how we treat ourselves is the same way we should treat other believers.

…Christ loved the church and gave his life for it. He made the church holy by the power of his word, and he made it pure by washing it with water. Christ did this, so he would have a glorious and holy church, without faults or spots or wrinkles or any other flaws.

None of us hate our own bodies. We provide for them and take good care of them, just as Christ does for the church, because we are each part of his body.‬‬

Ephesians‬ ‭5‬:‭25‬-‭27‬, ‭29‬-‭30‬ ‭CEV

There are many scriptures that call us to love, care, encourage, and build each other up. There are scriptures that give examples of how we should act toward each other. But it isn’t always easy, when faced with differing opinions and personalities, to walk out this expectation. I pray for my own heart to be soft toward others and to see them as members of Christ’s body alongside me.

I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.‬‬

John‬ ‭17‬:‭20‬-‭21‬ ‭NKJV

Grace & Peace,

Sandy

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