"Just as each of us has one body with many members,and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others."
Romans 12:4-5

IN the next verses Paul expands the teaching in verse 3 concerning the measure of faith, and explains what he means by using the illustration of the body. This is a powerful and very helpful analogy which he uses in others places, such as 1 Corinthians 12:12-14; and Ephesians 4:16. In each place the emphasis is slightly different according to the teaching Paul is seeking to make clear, but the doctrine is one and binds all that Paul is teaching together. Let us now expand our understanding gained through the last sermon by the consideration of these verses which come next.

THE BODY OF CHRIST.

Paul does not speak of the physical body of Christ here, neither his earthly body or his resurrection and glorified body. Paul is speaking of his spiritual and redeemed body which is the true church made up of all believers who hold to the truth of the Gospel as it is given to us in the Bible, and made known to us in a saving way through the ministry of the Holy Spirit. The difficulty has always been that the outward and visible church, the organisation which is viewed by the physical eye in the various denominations throughout the world, has always been a mixed affair where the devil has sown weeds amongst the wheat, as Jesus describes in one of his parables. Paul's teaching has reference to the true invisible church made up of true believers who are found in the visible church in greater or lesser numbers in different congregations.

In the first place Paul asks us to consider the human body. He points out that the body of a person is one individual whole, and not broken up into separate parts or entities. Though one body, it is made up of various parts which are all joined together, the parts making up the one whole. The members are not alone. They are not only joined to the body in an inseparable way, but each is important to the health and well-being of the one body (person). The different parts of the body – hand, finger, hair, nose, etc. are all different and fulfil different functions in the body. Each function is important and indispensable, even though it may be seemingly insignificant and not very prominent. Each function has its own purpose in the body, and is created to do this function, and no other function. It should not aspire to be what seems to be a more important function in the body, nor will it be able to fulfil any other function than the one it has been placed in the body to perform. Each part of the body is created perfectly to perform the designated function, and has been given the ability to do this function and no other.

This is the picture. Now Paul tells us that in Christ we are one body, and the human body in the way that it has been formed illustrates perfectly the nature and formation of the true Church made up of all who have been granted true and saving faith in Christ.

APPLYING THE ANALOGY.

This analogy of the body perfectly illustrates what Paul was saying about the measure of faith. The measure of faith is the faith given to each Christian to fulfil the function which is Christ's purpose for us in his body, the Church.

In applying this analogy we need to take to heart Paul's words that we are in Christ. In a human body all the various parts and members of the body are subject to the head, or more correctly the brain, from which each part is controlled and made to work according the well-being of the body and the tasks and operations the body is required to perform. Each member of the body is linked to the head, and receives its instructions from the head. A part of the body does not consider the opinion of another part of the body, but only considers the will and mind of the head.

The truth is that every true believer is in Christ. We have been joined to Christ in a very organic way to make up his body. This union with Christ has been illustrated by Christ in his allegory of the vine and the branches. A branch is part of the vine, and not tied on, but made an organic part of the vine, and receives its life from the vine. This is how, by faith, we have been joined to Christ, and our life is in him.

The point that I am seeking to make clear is that as Christians, and so members of the body of Christ, it is Christ to whom we look. We seek to receive from him his purpose for us in the body, and to perform that function, and also look to him to open the way for us to be that function in the church. We do not consider what we would like but what is the will of Christ for us in the body. The opinions of other members in Christ's body do not matter very much, and the only thing that should matter is the opinion of Christ. If he is pleased with our performance then that is all that matters.

This brings contentment. Contentment comes in this way because we will be fulfilling just the purpose Christ has for us, and so find true fulfillment and satisfaction in our living for Christ. Contentment also comes because when we are conscious of Christ being pleased, and knowing we are living to please him, then it will not matter what other people think of us, and we shall not be bothered by temptations to think ourself more important than we are, or be discontented because our pride feels we ought to have a different function in the church.

Only as each Christian is fulfilling the function in the church which Christ has appointed will the church be strong and healthy and vigorous for Christ in the world.

It may be that we have a sense that the function which Christ means for us is not being rightfully appreciated, and that we are not being allowed to be what Christ means us to be. This can't be ignored by us, but the way we handle it is important. We must not grow discouraged, disgruntled, depressed, or pushy. The way forward is to look always and continually to Christ, and make sure our thinking concerning ourself comes from him, and we have understood his will for us. Then we must talk to the Lord about our problem, and seek that he opens the way for us to be what he wants us to be in the fellowship of his body. In faith we must continue to pray, but also rest entirely on his ordering of our life, and wait patiently for his opening such usefulness within the church that is his will. Then we need to remember the ways of Christ are always to make us more like him, and that before he can use us we need to learn the lessons of holy living that he is teaching us. We must understand that until we have been made fit for the function in the church he has for us, he must fit us for it, and train us for it. This may very well mean patient waiting upon him in faith.

The next thing we need to understand is that we need not be cast down if we feel we are weak and useless. Christ has a function for each of his faithful members, and he will show us what it is, and equip us to perform it. Waiting on God does not mean we can sit back and hide from surrendering to Christ's will for us in the church.

BELONGING TO ALL THE OTHERS.

The next thing that we need to lay upon our heart after learning the lesson that Christ must be the focus of our faith and aspirations, is the need to understand the next thing Paul says in verse 5. Paul tells us "each member belongs to all the others."

The Christian is not saved for his or her own pleasure. In the first place we are saved to glorify Christ, and in the second place we are saved to serve others, and for the good of all Christ's members and for his body. It is always true that the Christian puts Christ first, then others, leaving ourself last. The amazing thing is that when self is at the forefront of our life we are rarely happy as Christians, but when Christ and others are lived for there is fulfilment and joy.

Just as in the body, each part of the body lives for the whole body and fulfils its function to make the body function at full potential, and full purpose; so in the church, each Christian must find his or her function, and fulfill that function for the good of the whole body of Christ.

To dethrone self in our life is so very hard. Self is always pressing for attention. Our own comfort always seems to shout at us. Satan manipulates the self in us to keep us from living for Christ's glory and the good of the church as a whole. The truth is that we need to understand that we have no rights of our own as Christians.

We live in a society which is shouting about human rights all the time. It is a society in which self is dominant, and self comes first before every other consideration. In society today people live for themselves before others, and if they do not get what they want, there is trouble, and disruption.

This must not be so for the believing Christian. We live for Christ first and foremost and others following that. We look unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith, who for the goal set before him endured the cross, despising the shame. Because he did this and lived like this, God highly exalted him and gave him name above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow. Christ must be our pattern. Through Christ's self-sacrifice, we have been saved from everlasting damnation. We are not our own, we have been bought with a price - the price of the very life blood of Jesus. To contemplate this amazing gift through Christ is the way to offer ourself as a living sacrifice to Christ. By this we not only understand that we have no rights of our own, but are caused to gladly give up our rights to Christ, and live for him whatever the cost.

It is the will of Christ that we serve him as his slaves for the good of others, particularly all the rest of Christ's body, his saved ones. In appreciating of Christ's loving sacrifice for us it should be our pleasure and desire to give up our lives to him and for him.