Greetings to the people of God, the children of Christ, the faithful, and the righteous at heart. May the Holy Spirit guide you, aid you always, and protect you forever and ever. My brothers and sisters in Christ; peace, love, and hope be in you all, that just as Christ has shown mercy upon you, you may show mercy and love unto others. Whether they are foreign aliens, or Jews or Gentiles, treat each other with care, as the Lord Jesus Christ cares for us, so are we to care for our brothers and sisters, Who are united with us in the Body of Christ. We are family, and no small piece is to go wasted, but used in the Body of Christ if we are willing. If one is struggling, be of help, for even if no reward is in sight on earth for him, truly the reward is great in Heaven! And remember: "We love Him because He first loved us." (1 John 4:19).

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What it is: The Body of Christ (not to be confused with communion/the Eucharist, but in this context is talking about the Church)

To understand what the body of Christ is, we can go to 1 Corinthians 12-27, where the body of Christ is mentioned, "Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually." (v.27), but what does this mean? We can go back to the top, "For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ." (v.12) Using a human body, the Apostle Paul was able to use a metaphor many can comprehend, which is that just as a body has many parts, we as believers in Christ are different, and individual in that sense, but are still part of that body, united and whole in Christ. For example, if you are the "hand" of the body of Christ, we can say the hand is "individual" in that it has a different function and thereby special, however, the hand cannot be separated from the Body, and survive on its own. If it were to do that, it is no more and dies, and the Body losing the hand would be hurt indeed, but lives, because the body stands not on its own but through Christ Jesus Who is the Head. In Ephesians 4:14-16, the Apostle Paul also writes, "but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—". Thus, believers are not to operate in isolation, but need each other for the best quality and quantity of work, with Christ at the Head. We are to be united in Christ, in His Body, working as one, that though we are different, it is all the better, so that we may use our advantages and talents to best accomplish the same goal, which is to spread the gospel by evangelizing (Mark 16:15), (and yes, we are all called to do this in any way we can), to live a faithful Christian life no matter the hardships (Philippians 3:14), and of course, worship the Lord our God with our brothers and sisters (Hebrews 10:25).

 In the next paragraph, another important fact is revealed, which is the need for diversity. Paul writes, "If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling?" (v.17) This whole passage is based on reality that if every part of the body of Christ does the same thing, the body would be incomplete and not survive. Just because you may not be the hand does not mean there is no use of you, but if everyone is the hand because we all think that to be the most important, then who will be the nose, or the leg, or the eye? But whatever we are, it had already been determined, for"...God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased." (v.18), meaning that no one is without a role and is without excuse, because God had hand chosen each one of the members in the body of Christ, as God pleased (which is shown by your talents). This verse also shows that God is involved, that every person has a divine purpose that is intentionally designed by God to work in the Body, so no one is without purpose, but every part and member of the body of Christ is special, with special skills needed for the body to operate. 

But yet, every so often, there is this worldly heresy that creeps into the body of Christ. Corruption done by the mouths of man to destroy the Body, which is the debate that there are parts of the Body that are less important, that is, less valuable, than other parts. Different opinions began the division, that perhaps the foot is better than the arm, or the neck better than the torso. However, the Bible clearly refutes these claims, by saying, "No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty..." (v.22-23) Who, then, is the one who stays behind to wipe the floor of the Church when everyone else leaves? Or who is the one who has the ideas to organize events to bring people together, but does not present it himself? But rather, in the body of Christ, we are to treat these with the highest honor, unlike how the world would treat them, for not only do they work in modesty, but are indispensable. Unlike the worldly view, that the lesser parts are of less value and the more appealing parts of greater value, they are to have equal worth in the eyes of God, for God shows no favoritism (Romans 2:11), and that no parts are so easily replaced like some heresies may indicate. Now, this is not to say that the janitor suddenly becomes the priest or the one who works behind the scenes, all of a sudden, had to come to the front because we are all equal, but there still needs to be a structure to the body of Christ. We must not fall into Gnosticism, which is the belief that denies the authority of the bishops, the creeds, the sacraments, and Church leadership, because "everyone is equal", therefore bishops and creeds should have no power over us. This is another heresy, and completely undermines the authority of Jesus Christ Who has given authority to His chosen ones, not out of favoritism, but to work through those who are willing and give those who are willing a higher purpose, which also comes with more responsibilities and burdens. For example, some are called to be a monk, and some are called to be a bishop. Does that make the bishop higher than the monk? May that never be! But structure is needed for the body of Christ to function, because without it, we just end up becoming our own "gods", guided by our own perception and opinion. Like different body parts, we have different purposes and callings, which is good, but in the end, are to obey those that serve the Lord our God, and submit to Jesus Christ our Head. 

Lastly, we are informed "that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it." (v.25-26). These two verses, I cannot stress enough, is so important, especially in this day and age, where there is division upon division and schisms, when right here, it is mentioned that there should be no schism in the Body. Unlike what the modern world is, the Apostle Paul tells us here that we are together in the body of Christ. If one is hurting, so is the rest, and if even the nail of the Body is suffering, the rest of the Body suffers with it. We should care for one another, which can be done by giving aid to those who may be having pitfalls in his life, because his sufferings is our suffering, and his bleedings, our bleeding. We so often assume that when we go through pain, it is our own pain, no one else's, when in reality being a member of the body of Christ, the pain we experience, really, is not our own, but affects the whole Body, for we are connected in the whole Body. So rather, when we are in a pitfall, or find ourselves where we're not supposed to be, ask for help, for how is the Body to know the pinpoint of the needle when all we feel is an ache? Thus, we, being part of the body, are to alarm the whole Body, so the body of Christ can help. Therefore my brothers and sisters, if you are struggling alone, because you think it's not affecting anyone, that is a lie, and is indeed affecting the whole body of Christ. So let the body of Christ know, so together the solution may appear, for truly no one in the Body is alone. And if one member of the Body is honored, let the whole body rejoice, rather than falling into jealousy. For we are one body of Christ, united with each other, that we may all care for each other, with love and mercy. 

So to sum everything up, the body of Christ is this; which is a Body that is made up of different parts, with every believer gifted with different sets of skills, but are still to partake in the same Body which is found in the Church, to serve Jesus Christ and His Body for growth and conquer, with every part necessary, that we care for one another knowing the struggles of one is the struggles of all, and the rejoicing of one is the rejoicing of all, sharing our resources, and coming together in unity in the body of God with Christ at the Head. 

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Why it's important: The Body of Christ

Some context may be needed here, because the truth is, when Christ is risen and the Holy Spirit had been spilled unto the Apostles and disciples of Jesus Christ during the Pentecost, the Bible had not yet been formed. Certainly, the Word had been since the very beginning, but the New Testament had not yet been put together, for there haven't been a council to decide upon such matters, and the average person can hardly read or write. So the answer to be Christian back then was not simply; go to your room, turn on your nightlight, and read your Bible, but only by partaking in the Church, which is the body of Christ, and that is what precisely makes the body of Christ is so important. Because back then, to know the Truth, one must first hear the Truth proclaimed, which is in the body of Christ, and to practice to Truth, it is the Church that performs the sacraments which Jesus commanded us to do. 

So what about today, now that we do have our own Bibles? Is the Church, that is the partaking in the body of Christ, even necessary? Far from it! But truly the Bible itself tells us, "Then Jesus said to them, 'Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you.' " (John 6:53). This is a bold statement made by Jesus Himself, Who claims that without the consumption of His flesh and the drinking of His blood, there is no life in us. However, there is a solution to this, and just like the early Christian days, we can truly eat His Body and drink His Blood by the Eucharist, which is only done in the Church, the body of Christ. The same thing can be said about Baptism, when "Peter replied, 'Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.' " (Acts 2:38). Here, we find out Baptism can indeed forgive sins, which through faith is accomplished, and like the Eucharist, is done by the body of Christ. To baptize oneself is seen as heretical, and can be linked to Montanism, which misses the mark of being baptized in the first place, and that is to be reconciled with God and the body of Christ through the Church. Thus, it is very important and necessary to partake in the body of Christ, because to reject the partaking in the body of Christ is to reject Jesus Christ Himself.

Moving past the sacramental side of why the body of Christ is important, which can be connected even to one's salvation, it is also very important to be connected to other followers of God, who are your brothers and sisters, to grow closer to God. The partaking in the Church is really what helps each and every person grow closer to God in the body of Christ every day and to each other, which are the two great commandments, to love God and our neighbors, and spiritual growth for a Christian is what forms a truly strong Christian in this world. Having a community and fellowship with one another is important, because though it may not seem like much when you're thriving, in the days of snares and temptation, that is when being in the body of Christ regularly is important, so if either of them falls, one can always help the other back up. Thus, though we have our own Bibles to read, we still go to Church, the body of Christ, because that is the place we can receive the sacraments which Jesus instituted, and it is where we can strengthen each other, and help one another grow closer in wisdom, in love, and in Truth. Hebrews best explains it this way, "And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." (Hebrews 10:24-25). After all, Jesus Christ came to establish a Church, a fellowship, a body of Christ, not just the words found in the Bible. 

Therefore, the body of Christ is important, for it is where the sacraments are done which Jesus commanded us to do, and is where we can become more strengthened in faith, for communion with one another is how we persevere, with those who are faithful and for the Truth of the Gospel.

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How to partake in: The Body of Christ

Go to Church. That is first and foremost, and attend it frequently, because it is where our doubts get clarified, and where God's presence dwells in the most. As mentioned above, through the Eucharist also known as the Holy Communion, we are experiencing and partaking in the physical body of Christ, as a fellowship with Him and each other. Serve our brothers and sisters, and imitate Christ unto others in the Church, so that we may fully be in the Body of Christ. Aid each other, and give criticism in hopes of edifying one another when needed, but always with love and care for the other believer. Love one another, build each other help, fight with each other instead of against each other, and that, truthfully, is how we partake in the body of Christ. With love, with care, in the growth of the body as each one of us becomes more aligned in the Truth of our Lord Jesus Christ.

"And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ..." (Ephesians 4:11-13)

Therefore, my brothers and sisters in faith, we are to be of one body, which is the body of Christ. For truly Jesus Christ is the Head, as the Word says, and surely we are His Body, as His Word promised! Thus, we unite in love, with one another in Christ Jesus, in His Holy Body, for it is good indeed! And even in this dark generation, and in these last times, we are to care for one another, being the light and the salt of the earth (Matt 5:13-14). My friends in the Lord our God, be kind, be gentle, and do not think selfishly. But in whatever we are to do next, know that the body of Christ is here to shepherd us all, protecting us from the blasphemies of this world, and bringing clarity through the confusion. Do not be deceived by the mind, which may process what is evil, righteous, or what is righteous, evil. And do not trust even our own eyes, but first pray to God our Father if it is from Him, for Satan disguises himself as an angel of light (2 Corin 11:14). Be cautious, and be steadfast. For surely God does not lie, when He say He is coming back soon. Even more so, come! For Your body has not fallen asleep, but has woken up alive, eager to be married to You! Because You, O Lord, have been a faithful and merciful God, Who has forgiven even when we don't deserve it, and has made us new, to be with You forever and ever! What a wonderful reality this is! 

Lord Jesus Christ! O God of all, come back soon, as all Your saints await Your return! Amen.