Are You a Functioning Member?

Ephesians 4:16

As we all grow older we feel the pains that creep into
our once strong and fluid joints. Our hands hurt when
they do their work. Our knees creak when we stoop
down. Our backs and necks are sore when we sleep
wrong. The ailments we suffer from are seemingly
endless.

We are aware of those faulty parts, are we not? When
we have a pain in any portion of the body we tend to
focus on that area. We aren't so mindful of the
hundreds of other parts that don't hurt. We do that
because we go to the aid of the weakest members. They
need the attention, or at least they demand it. The
spiritual implications of these thoughts are many.

Paul, in describing the role of the church's
relationship with its Head, Christ, said, "From whom
the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by
that which every joint supplieth, according to the
effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh
increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in
love" (Eph. 4:16).

As the church, the body of Christ (Eph. 1:22f),
functions to serve the head, it acts as a unit made up
of many members (1 Cor. 12:27). Each part functions on
its own, up to its own ability, yet, all the parts
function together in harmony to produce all proper
reflections of the Head. This places each member in a
position to strive for personal spiritual excellence,
as well as for all to work with each other towards the
ultimate goal of glorifying Christ. When pains enter
into a joint, that joint fails to do its work. It
can't move as it should and it is not as strong as it
should be. But, the body as a whole suffers because
the body not only depends on it to function properly,
it can't even ignore it because the joint's pain is
the body's pain.

Christians functioning as members of the church, must
realize that they are important to the work of the
church. If they grow weak, or cause pain, the whole
body suffers. If they are strong and are doing their
work, they support the overall good of the body. The
tremendous value of being active in the Lord's
business keeps the body young and energetic. When it's
exercised and the stamina is high, what can stop it?
With the mind of Christ the church has no rival. No
power can defeat it.

When we serve God are we the joint that always drops
the load? Do we hurt and complain, or do we silently
do what's expected and needed? Let's be intent to
supplying our part and be able to help others do the
same. --Christian Messenger via The Gospel Messenger


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Charles Klock