One of the best metaphors for identity in Christ is found in the Bible in 1 Corinthians 12. In this passage, Paul says if we are part of God’s family, we also are part of God’s body. All believers make up the body of Christ: the hands, feet, liver, kidneys, lungs of Christ. Paul points out that the body of Christ is composed of many different parts – and they need to be different. We can’t all be hands. We can’t all be lungs. All of the parts are needed for the body to function well. Paul says, “God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose.” And He’s chosen us. It doesn’t matter who we are or where we come from; God needs us as part of His body, to do good works for Him.

Paul says in 1 Corinthians 12 that if one part of the body suffers, we all suffer, and isn’t that the truth in our own bodies? If we break a toe or sprain a finger, our whole body aches and limps. The Christian life cannot be lived alone. We must be connected with other believers in the body of Christ. Otherwise, we are just an ear or a nose with no body, not able to do much at all. Being part of the body of Christ is an honor and a gift. We are not alone. We are meant to do good works collectively. Let’s invite others to join us, growing the body bigger and stronger and more able to do good things in God’s name.        

This is Andrew Palau.