Unity in the Body of Christ

By Glen Elliott
    The church is not so much an institution as it is a living organism. It is referred to in Scripture as “the body of Christ” (Eph. 4:12). This analogy teaches us several very important truths about the unity of the body.    First, because the church is the body of Christ, it must have a head to direct, guide and control its various functions. The Bible teaches us that “Christ is the head over all things to the church, which is His body…” (Eph. 1:22-23). Just as the physical body operates in obedience to the directive impulses of the brain, so also Christ’s spiritual body, the church, operates in harmony with Christ’s directives expressed through His written revelation. Whether physical or spiritual, when the body fails to obey its head, the result is chaos and confusion. It is not God’s fault when Christ’s body becomes divided; it is simply man’s failure to live under the headship of Jesus Christ. After all, “God is not a God of confusion, but a God of peace” (1 Cor. 14:33).    In addition to a head, a body must also have a harmonious membership. Each member of the body has an important function (1 Cor. 12:14-27). When the smallest member fails in his or her assigned duty, the whole body suffers. The body is a finely tuned organism and its members must cooperate with one another, working together toward a common goal. Functional unity in the church is not just a nice thing when it happens, it is an essential ingredient to be sought after with great fervor and intensity (Rm. 14:19; Heb. 12:14).    Let us emphasize again that a body must be unified. Disunity among members frustrates the purpose and intention of the body. Christ’s fervent prayer was for His followers to be one (Jn. 17:20-21). But upon what basis shall believers unite? Only on the basis of Christ’s headship and our willingness to place our lives in submission to His will. Only on such a foundation can we be united as members of Christ’s spiritual body, the church.

- Glen Elliott preaches for the Greenbrier church of Christ in Greenbrier, AR. He may be contacted through the congregation's website - https://www.gbcofc.com/