The Church is the body of Christ

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Colossians 1:24

Now I rejoice in what I suffer for you, and I fulfill in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ for his body, which is the church.

When Jesus began his ministry, he called 12 disciples and began a work with all of them simultaneously. It was not an individual discipleship, but a collective one. The Lord never encouraged an individualistic spirituality, although our responsibility and salvation are personal. God does not want sheep without a flock, soldiers without an army, or members without a body.

Following this model, Jesus established his church, as the collectivity of the saved. The church is not only a congregation of people, but a body where diverse members act together for the benefit of all and, mainly, so that together we can better serve the Lord (ICo.12.12).

The fundamental principle for any part of the organism is the connection. Any member dies. Therefore, no Christian can live isolated from the church. Through this connection come the commands of the head, which is Christ. These orders come through other members who are in a leadership position. The controls for the movement of the fingers pass through the arm and the hand.

Each member has a specific function in the body. There is not a member who can do everything alone. It is also not natural for one member to play the role of another. This may be possible, but it works precariously. Writing with the feet, for example, is very difficult.

Each member has a skill and no member has all the skills. Thus, God gave different capacities, gifts and talents for each one of us, so we need each other. The eyes see the food, but they can not catch. The hands take, but they can not eat. The mouth eats, can not see the food or digest it. With participatory work, everyone benefits.

Notice in 1 Corinthians 12.1-11, the highlight of the word "other." The Holy Spirit does not give the same gifts for all or give all the gifts to the same person. So also with the ministries (Eph.4.11).

Every member needs to work, but, at the same time, he is always being cared for, nourished and nourished with the blood that runs in his veins.

We need to recognize our place in the body. This happens when we recognize our gift and resolve to put it into practice. We should not desire the other's place, but simply exercise our role.

By doing so, we will contribute to the growth of the body of Christ, which is the church.

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