The Body of Christ

In the apostle Paul’s letter addressed to the saints in Corinth, as well as to us, the apostle Paul writes, do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you (1-Cor.3:16). Like the believers in Corinth, we too at times forget that the Holy Spirit dwells within each one of us and we say and do evil things to hurt or discourage one another. The apostle Paul says for where there is envy, strife, and divisions among you, are we not carnal and behaving like mere men! (1-Cor.3:3). It is for this reason that the apostle Paul writes about the body of Christ.

At conversion, when we confessed Christ as our Savior, God supernaturally delivered us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of His Son, Jesus Christ (Col.1:13-14). So the first thing the apostle Paul would say to the followers of Christ is that we are family. Malachi the prophet said, have we not all one Father? Has not one God created us? Why then do we deal treacherously with one another by profaning the Covenant of the fathers (Mal.2:10).

The second thing the apostle Paul will have us remember is that we serve the same God. We are on the same team; God’s team. We serve for the same reason, to spread the Gospel of Christ. We have the same goal; to save souls for God’s Kingdom.

The third thing the apostle Paul wishes to remind believers of is that we have God’s spirit, “The Holy Spirit” dwelling within each one of us (Jn.14:17,26). God’s Spirit will guide us into all truth. He, the Spirit, will tell us the things that will transpire in our future. God’s Spirit will teach us all things concerning God’s Holy Kingdom; and He, the spirit will remind us of what Jesus had said to us in His word.

The forth thing the apostle Paul will have us remember is that we are one body in Christ. Therefore, we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another (Rom.12:5). The apostle Paul writes, knowing then, that we are family, and not just any family, but God’s family of believers. Let us then Love one another without hypocrisy. Let us be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, giving preference to one another. Let us be of the same mind toward one another. In addition, repay no one evil for evil for the Lord said He would avenge His children (Rom.12:19). Let us then have regard for good things in the sight of all men, and let us live peaceable with all men, and let us not forget to overcome evil by doing good (Rom.14:1-23).

The fifth thing the apostle Paul reminds believers to do is to put on the new man, which God created according to true righteousness and holiness (Eph.4:24). Therefore, since we are brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus, the apostle Paul says, let us speak truth with one another for we are members of one another in the Lord.

The apostle Paul writes, be angry, and do not sin, let us not give Satan an opportunity to use our anger for his evil deeds. Let no corrupt word proceed out of our mouth, the apostle Paul writes in his letter. Furthermore, since we are a part of God’s family by faith, let all bitterness, wrath, anger, and evil speaking cease to exist in our mortal minds and hearts since we follow the teachings of Christ (Eph.4:20-23). The apostle Paul writes, now, since we know that we serve the same God, let us be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another even as Christ forgave our sins.

Therefore, let us imitate God. As His dear children, and let us walk in love as Christ has loved us and gave Himself for us; an offering and a sacrifice to almighty God for a sweet-smelling aroma, as payment for our sins.