Members of the Body of Christ
Who is a member of the body of Christ? What does it mean to be a member of the body?
Tom Harris, Australia
“Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.” 1 Cor. 12:27. We cannot believe this and at the same time consciously commit sin. This would be the same as Christ committing sin. “Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a harlot? Certainly not!” 1 Cor. 6:15.
This is the truth of the gospel! By one Spirit we were all baptised into one body, and through that Spirit we are able to crucify the flesh with its passions and desires—then we are Christ's! (Gal. 5:24) Think! A member of His body! The body in which God condemned all sin, and the body that carried out all God’s will! If we are to be members of this body, the same thing must take place in our lives. Sin is to be put to death in our flesh and we are to do God’s will instead of our own. How is sin put to death in our flesh? When we are tempted to do or think something that we know to be wrong, we do not give in to that desire. Then we are following in Jesus’ footsteps, the One who committed no sin.
We must examine ourselves as to whether we are in the faith— whether or not we really believe this glorious truth that leads to victory over sin and a completely new life in Christ. We no longer need to languish in sin and unbelief—now we can “Repent and believe in the gospel”. Mark 1:15.
June 2009