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Belonging to One Another

So in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. (v. 5 NIV)

Families are wonderful. Families are messy. We need families. From the beginning of creation, we were not meant to be alone (Gen. 2:18). Paul describes Christ’s family as a body. We form his one body to which each member belongs.

Because we belong to one another, we need one another. We can’t all be an eye or a nose or a foot (1 Cor. 12:12–31). Nor can we all be prophets or teachers or servants. Each of us has been given unique gifts so we can contribute to Christ’s body as a whole. When we do our part and use our gifts according to what we have been given, the body will function well together.

This also reminds each of us not to envy one another’s gifts or exclude people because they are not like us. Paul says it directly: “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you” (Rom. 12:3 NIV).

And because we also belong to one body, when one member of the body suffers, we all suffer (1 Cor. 12:26). When one part is honored, we all rejoice. That is the beauty of being a part of the body of Christ and belonging to one another. It is the beauty of family.

As you pray, thank God for your family and your family in Christ.