Colossians 1:18 says, “And He (the Son of His Love, in verse 13) is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.”
So as individual members of the body of Christ, how are we to work truly as one body?
First of all this verse in Colossians says that Jesus is the head. Every operation and activity that reflects in the body, flows from some aspect of the head. Whether sight, smell, hearing, taste, even the sense of touch is generated by brain cells that communicate to nerve endings.
Next, think about how the body works together simply to walk. Think about all the parts of the body that are required just to walk from your bed to your bedroom closet…you need your brain to generate the thought, reasoning, and the path you will take. You need parts of your arms, neck, back, legs, and feet depending on whether you are laying or sitting (your brain analyzes this info as well, and directs movement). You need your eyes to get you there without tripping and falling, or bumping into something. You need your fingers and toes to help keep you on balance while getting up and walking. And if you are moving in darkness, you need to use your memory (total brain function) to get you there. This is just what I, as a non-medical professional, could come up with. There are probably hundreds of other body parts that are used in this very simple act of walking. When I gave birth to my children via C-Section, I was shocked to realize how many areas of my body were unconsciously being used for simple reflex actions like laughing and coughing!
But there is one thing all these seemingly separate efforts have in common: No matter what action is taking place by any body part, every bit of information needed to make even one move, is filtered and processed through the head in one form or another! His (Christ's) Spirit acts as the process center that connects and unifies every member! I could list a dozen “steps” for us to be successful at working as one body, but it really all boils down to this, every member staying connected to, trusting, and following the lead of the head, which operates by The Spirit.
I have a feeling this is going to a constant theme this year…Walk in The Spirit!
Seeking to Grow my Walk with God and Others,
Dawn~