What Is the Church?Ihe Atụ

The Church Is The Body of Christ

One of the most impressive things to see is a sports team in action.

We tend to talk about the superstar player and his actions in each game. But the secret to team sports is the ability of a large group of people (the majority of whom you never see) to work together to accomplish the same goal.

Church is a team sport. It was designed that way from the beginning.

1 Corinthians 12 tells us that the Church is the Body of Christ. We are Jesus' hands and feet, representing His mission. For the Body to accomplish its goals, every part must work together, like a successful team.

You may look at other Christians and think, “I am not as spiritual as them.” Yet, the Bible teaches us that you are just as much part of the Body as anyone else. You may wonder why someone else has greater abilities than you. But the Bible teaches that, like a good coach, God arranges each part of the Body just as He wants (1 Corinthians 12:18). There may even be people you think the Church doesn’t need on the team. Still, you cannot say you don’t need another person because you are not the one building this team (1 Corinthians 12:21).

This team that God is building is designed to care for each other when another suffers and celebrate together when another wins.

Here is what all of this means for your life today.

You are part of the Body of Christ. Your church needs you, and you need your church.

The Church will be as healthy and strong as it can be when each person, including you, is doing their part to contribute to the overall success of the Body. If you have ever had a player on your favorite sports team decide he would stop trying, you know how much that hurts the success of a team. Don’t be that player for your church.

You have a God-given role to play in your church. Discover that role and serve there for the entire team's benefit. As everyone does their part, the entire Body builds itself up. You will become a stronger man and disciple of Jesus when you contribute to the Body and receive from others as they do their part, too.

The Church is not a spectator sport. Get involved, get connected, and do your part.

Prayer: God, help me see the Church as the Body of Christ—an interdependent team that exists to build each other up in love and be the hands and feet of Jesus in this world. Amen.

Reflection: How is your life contributing to the Body of Christ?