In today’s devotional from InTouch Ministries—The Church: God’s Design—Charles Stanley writes about the significance of the church and how God uses it to reach people and transform their lives.
In Scripture, the word “body” is often used to represent the church—a unified group of believers who have chosen Jesus as their Savior.
It’s through the body of believers that God’s purposes are accomplished here on earth. Individual Christ-followers make up the body and, collectively, the body is able to make an impact on the world. The more ‘fit’ the body of believers is, the greater the impact it will have. Working together as a unified unit, the Christian church can make a huge difference in the lives of others. As a church, we can minister to both those who are inside the church and those who are not yet believers.
One Body but Many Parts
For as the body is one and has many parts, and all the many parts of that one body are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body, whether we are Jews or Gentiles, whether we are slaves or free, and we have all been made to drink of one Spirit. The body is not one part, but many.
If the foot says, “Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear says, “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 would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But now God has established the parts, every one of them, in the body as it has pleased Him. If they were all one part, where would the body be? So there are many parts, yet one body.
The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” No, those parts of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. And those parts of the body which we think are less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honor. And our less respectable parts are treated with much more respect, whereas our more respectable parts have no need of this. But God has composed the body, having given more abundant honor to that part which lacks it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that the parts should have the same care for one another. If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts rejoice with it.
Now you are the body of Christ and members individually. (1 Cor. 12:12-27)
Just as it’s important for the church as a whole to be healthy and functioning well, it’s important for your individual body to be healthy and functioning well. Your personal health and wellness is an important resource. In general, good health will better enable you to use the gifts and talents that God has given you and to be of service to others. You’ll have more energy to serve. You’ll have greater function. You’ll have more stamina. You’ll be more alert in your mind.
When you are healthy, you’ll be better able to contribute to the work of the body of believers that make up the church.
God needs the church body to be healthy to accomplish His will in the world. He needs your personal body to be healthy as well.
So today I encourage you to make healthy choice to care for the body that God has given you. {eoa}
Dale Fletcher is a speaker and wellness coach who lives in Charlotte, North Carolina. He writes and conducts workshops on the link between the Christian faith and health. Connect with Dale at faithandhealthconnection.org.
For the original article, visit faithandhealthconnection.com.
Marilyn Hickey Ministries 
James Lasher 
Kenza Haddock 
