The body of Christ is made up of people from all walks of life, races and nationalities. Young and old, we are all one body of Christ Jesus.
The body of Jesus Christ is to be a testimony of the transforming power of the gospel. Our witness has respect in our community only if the transformation is evident in the world's eyes. The Christian's behavior is always being watched by the world.
The body of Jesus Christ is to live under the authority of Jesus Christ and His Word. The Word is our director. It directs us how to live to please God. The Word is our counselor and teaches us how to live with our brothers and sisters. The Word teaches us how to live in the world but not be a part of the evil in the world.
The body of Jesus is the extension of the heavenly body of all the saints in history. There is only one kingdom of God, both on earth and in heaven. When God saves a person, we are added to His kingdom. As subjects of God's kingdom we are responsible to live by the kingdom rules of Christian conduct. We cannot serve two masters. As Christians we only love one Master, Jesus Christ.
The body of Jesus Christ is the mission arm of God's kingdom. We are the outreach to evangelize as many souls as possible until Jesus returns. We are to witness and make disciples. We are to be the salt of the earth and light of the world. The body of Christ is the only hope the world may have for eternal life with God in heaven. There is no other name by which we must be saved. The hopeless world can only find peace with God through Jesus Christ.
The body of Jesus Christ is a community of believers who love and care for each other. Christian love binds us together, making us stronger than the world. Our commitment to God is also a commitment to Christ's body. Uncommitted believers are of no value to God. They become unfaithful and fall prey to false teaching and unhealthy thinking.
God knew His children here on earth would need direction and correction. The law under Moses failed to produce Godly living as God intended. So, He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to establish His church for the good of mankind. The dispensation of grace came to redeem man through Jesus Christ who died for our sins. His death was a statement to the world of God's love for His creation.
God has done all He can to provide a way we can live and die in the faith. The body of Jesus Christ, the church, is God's answer to our cry for deliverance. We are saved and added to Christ's church. So, stay in the church. Don't abandon Christ's body. Jesus is returning for His church, not a world of rebellious believers. The nation of Israel was rebellious and look what happened to them. Praise the Lord for the body of Jesus Christ!
See ya in church,
Bud