How do we truly become a part of the church body as described in the Bible?

Jeffrey D. Johnson reminds us that the church is not just about attendance or entertainment. As believers, we are interwoven like threads in a basket, making us interdependent on one another. This interconnectedness is crucial for our spiritual maturity. Just as an eye cannot function without a hand, we need the diverse gifts within the church to grow in Christlikeness. Alienating ourselves from the community hinders our growth and goes against God's design for His people.

Johnson emphasizes that the Christian life is not about individual strengths but leveraging those strengths to serve others. Our gifts are intended to benefit the entire body of Christ. The concept of koinonia, or fellowship, involves sharing what God has given us, whether spiritual gifts or resources, for the good of others. By actively participating and investing in the church community, we fulfill our responsibility to one another, ensuring the body of Christ is complete and cared for.

Romans 12:5 (NKJV): "So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another."