THE CHURCH: You are the Body of Christ

By Eddie Pinero, Senior Pastor, Calvary Chapel, Milford

Devotional

The church of Jesus Christ is not a social club or a lodge. It is not a physical building or a physical place; it is the physical presence of Jesus Christ in the world today – made up of believers who have been redeemed by faith through the cross of Christ.

In (1 Cor 12:27) the Apostle Paul uses a profound metaphor to explain how the church is to function – he writes, “You are the body of Christ.” By its definition, the church is a living, breathing organism. The words “you are” is very deliberate and powerful. He does not say “you should be” or “try to become” but “you are.” Just as Jesus declared to His disciples, “You are – the salt of the earth, ” “You are – the light of the world.” (Matt 5:13-16) This means the Apostle Paul is declaring what we already are – “You are the body of Christ.”

As believers, we are “individual members” of His body. And there is unity in our diversity. Paul uses the human body to show that each member has his own place in it and are given various gifts, but all are equally important.

Together we are a living, breathing organism. Together we are the physical presence of Jesus Christ in the world today. We reflect God’s glory. We are to obey and follow the Great Commission Jesus gave us, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. (Matt 28:19-20)

Prayer

Oh Lord, bind us together with Your love and grace. May we be a flavoring salt and a bright light in the world. May we faithfully honor and glorify You and be as a stream that flows Your physical Holy presence in the world today. In Jesus holy and mighty name, Amen.