As God places us into the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:13,18, 24-25), or church, He provides us with what is needed to be able to contribute to the healthy functioning and growth of the body. We don’t establish the foundation of the church, call the members, place them in the body or arrange them. That is all done by our Father, God. We don’t connect (Eph. 4:15-16) or nourish (Col. 2:19) the members, that’s done through Christ, the head of the church (Eph. 1:22-23). Our role is simple, though not always easy. So let’s look at how we contribute.
Growth
In what ways are we responsible for the growth of the church? Growth is made possible as we put the gifts, that God provides, (Eph. 4:7, 12-16) into use. These gifts are for the common good (1 Cor. 12:4-7) and God has enabled us with gifts and our role is to nurture them and put them into practice. But as Apostle Paul says, it’s God that gives the increase. (1 Cor. 3:5-7).
Healthy Functioning
In what ways are we responsible for the health of the church? A body needs to be healthy so that it can grow. A healthy five year old child gains capability as they grow but it’s uncommon to think they also grow in health. They continue to function in health. The Church, as the body of Christ, is dependent upon healthy functioning so that it can grow. Likewise, growth is indication of a health. We need to stay connected to Christ, the head of the body (Col 2:18-19) so we can contribute as members. Second we need to nurture and exercise what we’ve been equipped with. Does it seem natural that God would form the body of Christ in a way that the members would be equipped so they could help contribute to health as well as growth? Would God start the body out at a deficit?
What role does caring play?
The following verse gives a glimpse of the way in which we have a role to play in contributing to the body’s health and warding off division.
1 Corinthians 12: 24-25 (ESV) 24 … God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, 25 that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.
A good point to consider is whether we see care as something we have to do or bring to the body of Christ, or whether it is something God enables us to do when He composed the body. Check out the page that describes how God enabled the members for health.
Feel free to reach out with questions, comments, or suggestions