From whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
In verse 15, Paul writes that we are to grow up into Christ who is the head of the body.
Verse 16 begins with, “From whom.” Jesus Christ is the head of the body. From Him all the other parts are joined and held together. How did those parts come together? When a person comes to know Christ, the Holy Spirit places that person into the body of Christ where He sees fit (1 Corinthians 12:18).
The body is joined and held together by every supporting ligament as each part does its share. This causes the growth of the body as it is built up in love.
Now, this is all very easy to read and to say. But my question is, “How does this work out in practice? Is this what is taking place in your church body?” I think each of us should ask ourselves the question of how to do our part. We cannot force others to do what they don’t know to do or want to do. But is there a way for us to expedite or to encourage the activities that foster this kind of growth?
First, each person needs to see themselves as an actual part of the body. They need to understand and accept the fact that they have been given specific gifts to use within the body for the growth of the body. That means they need to know what their gift(s) are.
In addition, people need to function using their gifts. There must be a willingness to function in this way, and there needs to be the opportunity provided by the routines of the church body to use their gifts. If those opportunities don’t exist naturally, then individuals need to find ways to exercise their gifts with others in the body at times and in places that are outside the corporate gathering.
I think these are crucial things to think about and pursue for every one of us.
Exported from Logos Bible Software, 10:06 AM March 9, 2021.