Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. – 1 Corinthians 12:12

Ideally, I would like to refer to the body of Christ as the Church dwelling together in the spirit of oneness; consciously living out the faith without strife, envy or malice. The body of Christ, also known as the Church, is made up of believers, who are referred to as its members. These are those who had been called out of darkness (sin) into God’s marvelous light. In order to consider ourselves as members of the body of Christ; we must have received God’s gift of salvation through genuine repentance. Hence, it means that, salvation in Christ Jesus is the only requirement for admittance into the body of Christ (the Church).

How Christians Are the Members of the Body of Christ 

As believers, we’re all members of the body of Christ because each of us is in a relationship with Christ. Therefore, that puts us (Christians) in relationship with one another. In other words, once a person gets into relationship with Jesus, Christ in turn brings such a one into a bigger relationship with members of His body (the Church).

More so, we are also members of the body of Christ because:

1. We’re joined to Christ through the salvation we’ve received (Philippians 3:9 and Ephesians 4:15-16)

2. We follow Christ as our Head and the Head of the Church (Ephesians 1:22-23)

3. We’re the physical representation of Christ on earth. Through us, Christ manifests His life and love to the world.

4. We’re indwelt by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9)

5. We possess a diversity of gifts suited to particular function(s) (1 Corinthians 12:4-5)

6. We share a common bond with other Christians, regardless of their race, ethnicity, denomination, intelligence, social status, or appearance. 1 Corinthians 12:25 puts this very clearly when it says, “There should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.”

7. We have full assurance of our salvation (John 10:28-30)

8. We partake of Christ’s death and resurrection (Colossians 2:12).

9. We have share in Christ’s inheritance. The union established between Christ and us, gives us access to share in His glorious inheritance. (Romans 8:17)

10. We’ve received the gift of Christ’s righteousness (Romans 5:17).

The Process of Adoption into the Body of Christ

In Ephesians 5:30-32, Apostle Paul, who wrote by the leading of the Holy Ghost to the church at Ephesus; used the marriage union to illustrate the process of adoption into the body of Christ. He wrote thus, “For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.” This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

Likewise, when a non-believer gets to the point of experiencing the new birth, he must leave his old life of sin by repentance; and cleave to Christ as Lord and Savior by faith. The moment that’s done, the sinner is adopted into God’s family. He then becomes a member of the body of Christ.

Regular Church Attendance: A Sign of Commitment as Members of Christ’s Body

Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. – 1 Corinthians 12:27

While addressing the early Christians as the body of Christ; Apostle Paul was simply referring to the deep unity that’s the foundation of our identity as Christians. By default, we share not just the same blood and spiritual DNA as Christians; we also relate in absolute unity. Evidently, Paul pointed these facts out to the church in Corinth; which was very divided at that time. Just the same way many Christians are today.

In view of the foregoing, becoming and staying a member of a local church is basically one of the steps; that should be taken in order to declare and maintain our stand as members of the body of Christ. It’s a simple action that puts our commitment to Christ’s body into expression. The truth is, anyone who is supposedly a member of the body of Christ ought to identify fully with a local church.

Although, some might be of the opinion that being in fellowship with other believers is actually not so important. However, I would like to remind you that the Bible sounded a serious warning in the book of Hebrews 10:25 against this when it said, “not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Evidently, staying away will only do more harm than good to your faith.

Therefore, deal with the issues keeping you from taking the bold step towards church membership. On the other hand, if you have; make known your identity as a member of Christ’s body while maintaining that bond with the other members of the body.

It’s important, we don’t trivialize the church! You have no idea, what it cost God to put the life of His Son on the line in order to make us members of His body.

Conclusion

Just as every part of your body is important, likewise, every believer is to the body of Christ. Every one of us has a role to play in it and that includes you! God has specially designed, determined and placed you as part of His body. More so, by the virtue of our salvation, we’ve been adopted into an intimate relationship with Him. We’ve been brought into a deep spiritual connection with other members of Christ’s body. Therefore, I see no reason why we need to struggle through Christianity alone when God has surrounded us with loving brothers and sisters in His fold. He has given strength to some to help others who are weak; honor to others to help those less honorable. This means that, regardless of our abilities, gifts; or position in life, we have an important role to play in the body of Christ where we’re all members.

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