We Are All Part of the Body, the Church

We are all a part of  the body that makes up the Church. I was inspired to write this blog today after a story that my wife told me today about her jail ministry. No matter how little of an impact we may think we make each of us, as proclaimed Christians, has a part to do in forming the body of Christ. It doesn't even matter what "denomination" we may describe our selves as! In the few verses below you will see that your "denomination" and how big or small your roll is, doesn't matter at all!

These first few verses show us that it doesn't matter what kind of "rules" or "laws" within our "denominations" that any of us follow as believers, we are still all God's children!

1Co 3:4-9 (GNB)  When one of you says, "I follow Paul," and another, "I follow Apollos"---aren't you acting like worldly people?  (5)  After all, who is Apollos? And who is Paul? We are simply God's servants, by whom you were led to believe. Each one of us does the work which the Lord gave him to do:  (6)  I planted the seed, Apollos watered the plant, but it was God who made the plant grow.  (7)  The one who plants and the one who waters really do not matter. It is God who matters, because he makes the plant grow.  (8)  There is no difference between the one who plants and the one who waters; God will reward each one according to the work each has done.  (9)  For we are partners working together for God, and you are God's field. You are also God's building.

Now these last verses show us that no matter how minute the task may be, everything that we do to expand God's kingdom is superior to doing nothing. They also show us that all who believe in Christ and His kingdom are part of the Body, the Church.

Rom 12:1-13 (GNB)  So then, my friends, because of God's great mercy to us I appeal to you: Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to his service and pleasing to him. This is the true worship that you should offer.  (2)  Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God---what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect.  (3)  And because of God's gracious gift to me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you should. Instead, be modest in your thinking, and judge yourself according to the amount of faith that God has given you.  (4)  We have many parts in the one body, and all these parts have different functions.  (5)  In the same way, though we are many, we are one body in union with Christ, and we are all joined to each other as different parts of one body.  (6)  So we are to use our different gifts in accordance with the grace that God has given us. If our gift is to speak God's message, we should do it according to the faith that we have;  (7)  if it is to serve, we should serve; if it is to teach, we should teach;  (8)  if it is to encourage others, we should do so. Whoever shares with others should do it generously; whoever has authority should work hard; whoever shows kindness to others should do it cheerfully.  (9)  Love must be completely sincere. Hate what is evil, hold on to what is good.  (10)  Love one another warmly as Christians, and be eager to show respect for one another.  (11)  Work hard and do not be lazy. Serve the Lord with a heart full of devotion.  (12)  Let your hope keep you joyful, be patient in your troubles, and pray at all times.  (13)  Share your belongings with your needy fellow Christians, and open your homes to strangers.

So I leave you with this, we all as Christians need to put our differences and discrepancies aside and come together as one body to gather the lost sheep and bring a massive harvest to our Great Savior's home! God Bless!!