Topic: We are one body
Bible Reading: Psalm 142-144; 1 Corinthians 10:14-33
Memory Verse: “For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.” 1 Corinthians 10:17 (KJV)
Every reasonable human being takes care of his body. When you feel head ache, you take action, physical, spiritual or both, to heal you of the ache. Why? Because the ache will affect your whole body which will inconvenience you.
For a close knit family, no member will like any other to suffer or have pain because the sorrow of a member will cause others to sorrow as well. This is what is expected of the children of God. As believers, we are a family and should be close knit such that the joy of one will be joy of others and vice versa. This is why Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians that if we eat holy communion from same bread and same wine, that indicates we are of one body and should treat each other as such. He stated in 1 Corinthians 10:17 (KJV), “For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.”
The question is how many Christians really see and treat other fellow Christians as part of the same body irrespective of the social status? The Lord Jesus Christ said in Matthew 12:50 (KJV), “For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.” So everyone baptized into the body of Christ is a Christian and should love and treat every other Christian as brother or sister. It is time to reflect and make necessary amendment. Galatians 6:1-2 (KJV) says, “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. [2] Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” So you should let him know his fault but you should work on restoring him back to faith rather than excommunicating him!
Being one body encompasses giving to brethren that are in need when you have the resources. Such could be material, financial, emotional or even spiritual. This is not to indulge laziness but to support those who are hardworking but are still in need of some resources. For lazy members, the word of God is clear, Apostle Paul says in 2 Thessalonians 3:10 (KJV), “For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.” To help such brethren, they should be shown how to acquire skills to work or helped to get jobs that will engage them to eke out a living.
Action point:
Look around for a Christian that needs help and render necessary assistance.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero