1 Corinthians 12:19-20 If all were a single member, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.
The body cannot be made of a single member, otherwise it cannot function. The body needs all parts for it to do as it needs to do. Medical people and scientists study all the many parts of the body, down to the cell level and beyond. Even to take away one chromosome will alter the whole body. Our cell DNA is designed to function together with other cells in the body. Every part of the body is important. We do not look at persons and see their hearts pumping or the nose smelling but we see the whole person moving around and living.
This analogy helps us understand the church better. As a church, we function together to fulfill God’s mission for us in our community and world. There is greater strength is working together than there is in working alone. When someone in the church tries to do something alone or is treated as unneeded or unimportant, the overall church is not able to do as well.
In real life, this all can be a challenge because people are so different and often the flesh and selfishness gets in the way. That is why we must allow the Holy Spirit to guide each one of us individually so that we are stronger collectively.
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