Work properly
16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. (Ephesians 4:16–ESV)
Joints hold different parts together and enable new things because of their union. God made our bodies giving us knees and opposable thumbs, jaws and shoulders, toes and hips. We did not equip ourselves with these nor would we be willing to discard any of them.
It is very likely that you know other Christians whom you are annoyed with. They are in the body of Christ and are there because of God’s intention just like you and I are.
15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? 18 But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 19 If all were a single member, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” (1 Corinthians 12:15-21–ESV)
None of us get any option to certify another person as a member of the body. All we get to do is certify our own behavior: loving behavior. See the next phrase in Ephesians 4:16? It says, “When each part is working properly.” Working properly means loving properly. So we need to climb down off of our high horse and with love help and work with those who are in the body like it or not. Leave the outcome to God. He will do a good job and you will know it.
Love is its stamp. Growth is its result. Love my friends; mature my friends. We will find our place in the church, in God’s kingdom. That is the best place to flourish, and a flourish there is a forever one.
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