Each member belongs to all the others

 ^{by: Carole L. Haines}

³ For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: 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. ⁴ For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, ⁵ so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. ⁶ We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; ⁷ if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; ⁸ if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. (Romans 12:3-8)

Imagine the Body of Christ if we really looked at ourselves and each other this way. How wonderful God has made His Body, none having all the gifts, each dependent on the others. Imagine if none of us thought more highly, or lowlier, of ourselves than we ought to think. Imagine if we just did what we were called to do, never venturing into the business of another, to try to do their job for them.  People wouldn’t complain about the music director, they would applaud her, thank him. People wouldn’t gossip about the Pastor’s sermon, but come with open hearts to receive what God has given our dear shepherd.  Imagine the Body of Christ working together, finely tuned; like the Beautiful sound that comes out of a well- practiced orchestra. Is this possible, it absolutely is, and it all comes down to what Paul says above, “Do not think more highly of yourselves than you ought.” It is in seeing ourselves through the eyes of God, and viewing one another through His lens, this is how we work together beautifully.  Jesus said. A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35 NASB)

How much more will the world see Christ, as we learn to love one another deeply from the heart, and become the Humble Body of Christ? People will see Jesus more as we love one another, a lot more. All of us belong to one another. Let’s be the Body.