Every Member of The Body of Christ Is Important

Paul in writing to the Corinthians in his first letter regarding spiritual gifts, that they were not to deem one less important than another for all members of the church were important. He did so by comparing the differing gifts of the church to the different members of the physical body. We must be careful not to deem one member of the church more important than other members for all are necessary. Listen to Paul as he admonishes the Corinthian Christians. “For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary” (1 Corinthians 12:14-22). Did you notice the last sentence of the passage “Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are NECESSARY.”

Sometimes we may think that what one person does seems more important than someone else does, but, in God’s sight whatever is done in his name and for his glory (Colossians 3:17; 1 Corinthians 10:31) does not go un-noticed by God. He said to the churches of Asia in Revelation 1, 2, “I know thy works.” The brethren in Corinth “…your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58). One of the problems in this congregation was thinking that the gift of speaking in tongues was more important than the gift of prophecy but both came from the same spirit. The gifts mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12 were all important to the function and development of the infant church. Spiritual gifts have ceased (1Corinthians 13:8-10; Ephesians 4:11-14), but there are still things that Christians can do that are very important to the proper function of the body and the growth of it.

Some think that because they cannot do what they once did that they are not as important as they once were. Nothing could be further from the truth. Everyone will reach a point where they will not be able to do what they once did, even preachers, elders, deacons and others. Does this mean they are not any longer useful and important, does this mean they are no longer needed in the church or by the church? Absolutely not! They will always be important and needed. They will always be a part of the family and will always be as long as faithful an important part of that body. We must realize that it is not a matter of what we used to do but are we willing do what we can now?

Have we stopped to realize that some of the most important things a Christian can do for the church are not physical, but can bring about abounding results? Let me mention a few of these things and think that while you might not be able to go and do as you once did, there remains important things you can do for the Lord and the brethren.

One of those things is Pray. Prayer is a powerful tool at the disposal of a Christian (James 5:16-18; 1Peter 3:12). Pray for the restoration of the erring Christian, Pray for specific ones that you want to become Christians, Pray that the gospel may have free course (2 Thessalonians 3:1), Pray for laborers in the vineyard (Luke 10:2), pray for the elders, preachers and teachers and the church over all.

Another thing that can be done is to encourage others. This is almost a forgotten commandment. How much do we really encourage one-another? We may encourage someone we like or are partial to and leave others un-noticed. Let us realize that every Christian needs encouragement. There may be some struggling Christian who needs our encouragement that we do not know about and they may not tell us, but if we get in the habit of encouraging people in general they will receive what they need regardless of it being known or not. ”Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men” (1 Thessalonians 5:14). Hebrews 10:24 admonishes us to provoke one-another to love and good works.”

Other things that one can do that are important is encourage people to come to worship with you, ask them if they would like a free bible correspondence course, or bible study that you may ask someone else to conduct. Send cards to the sick and bereaved. Help grade bible correspondences that may come in that someone is taking. Do we think these things are less important than other things? If we do we are mistaken.

It may be true that you cannot do what and as you once did, but you are still a vital part of the body of Christ and important to every member of that body. When at worship come with a heart of gratitude, a smile and an encouraging word, having been prayerful and thankful (Philippians 4:5). Just remember when discouragement comes, that we will reap in due season if we faint not (Galatians 6:9).

Bill Cantrell