Finding a home in the body of Christ

What does it mean to be a member of the body of Christ? Romans 12:5 says, “So in Christ we feel many form one body and each member belongs to all the others.” Mark 10:45 tells us: “For even the son of man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Being within the body of Christ means bonding with and loving other Christians (members) and also providing selfless assistance to others in your community.

My wife and I recently went to a Washington State Veterans’ Cemetery, where I officiated at a service for a veteran. Opportunities like this, for me and my wife to spread the gospel and the love of Jesus Christ for man's salvation, bless us beyond description. The church that I pastor in the larger body of Christ supports me in being the servant my God intended me to be.

Have you found your place in the body yet? If not, may you find it today. Jesus is waiting for you.

Always keep in mind what Christ said in John 15:12-14: “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.”

This kind of love can make the world a kinder, peaceful place.

 As we move forward in the body of Christ remember. 

1 Peter 4:10-11: Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.

Pastor Hollis Stewart ministers at The Living Word Church in Sandpoint.