Question 41: Members of the Body

Question: What do members of the body of Christ do?

Answer: Members of the body of Christ recognize the value of all members in the body and humbly use their gifts to build up the body and fulfill God’s mission.

“Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” Romans 12:4-5

Paul writes to believers in Rome, explaining their individual roles within the larger body of Christ. He uses the metaphor of a physical body to illustrate how each believer has a unique function but belongs to all the others. Paul explains that just as body parts have different purposes but work together for the health of the whole body, individuals in the church have different gifts and responsibilities from the Holy Spirit but must function together for the church’s health. Every member of the body has a purpose and responsibilities and needs other members to grow and function to fulfill God’s mission for the church.

We continue to play vital roles in the body of Christ. Every member has a purpose and responsibilities within the church body. They could be commitments to participate, serve, share spiritual gifts or give financially. Through each member’s gifts, God uses the church to be the agent of his redemptive plan. God sends us out to participate in his work of redemption. The church is God’s mission in the world. Actively using our gifts to build up the body is the privilege, responsibility and joy of being a Christ follower.

TODAY: Reflect on how you participate in the church’s mission. Consider what gifts God has given you and commit to one specific way you can use them to serve the body of Christ. Read more about the church in our We Believe document HERE.