1 Corinthians 12:12-26. Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.
15 Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
Some people say they only need God and do not need anyone else. While it is true that God alone is our salvation and strength, the Bible teaches us that success and failure in life are also revealed in our relationships with others. According to Today’s Word, the way we associate with people deeply matters to God—especially within His church.
Relationships shape our spiritual journey. When we become close to those who are legalistic, we naturally learn their patterns of legalism. When we spend time with those who chase after miracles and signs without grounding themselves in the gospel, we can easily fall into unhealthy ways of faith. But when we walk closely with people who hold onto the gospel, our hearts are anchored in God’s grace, and we learn to live a gospel-centered life.
This is why Paul warns Timothy so strongly:
“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people” (2 Timothy 3:1-5).
Paul makes it clear that the environment we place ourselves in deeply impacts our faith. Choosing companions who live by God’s truth draws us closer to Christ, while surrounding ourselves with those who distort the gospel leads us into spiritual confusion.
God has called us together as His church so that we may grow in faith and maturity as one body. Before we met Christ, we were all useless and without hope. But through faith in Him, God has made us useful vessels in His house. We have been saved by His grace, not by our works or efforts. Even the faith we have is a gift from God, “so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).
In the church, therefore, no one can say that some are more valuable than others. Every believer—regardless of background, appearance, or ability—has a place and a purpose in God’s plan. The Spirit has united us through peace, and Paul urges us to “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3).
We are called to follow the example of the first church born after Pentecost:
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42).
This passage reveals four essential elements of a healthy church: devotion to God’s Word, authentic fellowship, celebration of the gospel, and continual prayer. These are the foundations God has given us to grow together in faith and fulfill His mission.
The first thing we must restore in the church is the blessing of worship for all members. Worship was the reason God created us: “the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise” (Isaiah 43:21). During worship, we confirm God’s infinite, unconditional love for us, and in doing so, we rediscover our identity and authority as His children. True worship restores our hearts, renews our strength, and unites us as one body.
We must also help one another devote ourselves to the Word of God. When the Word of life continues to flow from the pulpit, weary hearts are strengthened, dry bones are revived, and lost souls are brought to life (Ezekiel 37:1-14). As people see God’s promises fulfilled in their lives, their trust in His Word deepens, and “the Word of the Lord spreads widely and grows in power” (Acts 19:20).
A beautiful fellowship takes place when God’s children gather to worship, pray, and share life together. As we experience God’s love, we naturally desire to love one another. We begin to share, forgive, and encourage each other. Like the first believers, we become of “one heart and mind,” having everything in common and enjoying the favor of all people (Acts 4:32-33).
To maintain this unity, we must transcend our differences, abandon our prejudices, and fix our eyes on Christ, who binds us together. Whether in our homes, workplaces, or church, we experience the power of the cross—“the breaking of bread”—remembering Jesus’ death and resurrection daily. Through Him, we find reconciliation with God and with one another.
When the church walks in unity, we begin to see God’s power manifest in incredible ways. As spiritual prophets, we reconcile the world to God because Christ is the True Prophet who reveals His salvation. As spiritual kings, we overcome the enemy because Christ is the True King who has defeated Satan. As spiritual priests, we bring healing and restoration to a broken world because Christ is the True Priest who has forgiven all sin. As a result, God will “add to our number daily those who are being saved” (Acts 2:47).
Prayer is central to all of this. Throughout Scripture, whenever God carried out His plans, His people prayed (Acts 1:14; Acts 2:42-47; Acts 3:1-10; Acts 4:23-31; Acts 6:1-7; Acts 12:1-24; Acts 13:1-3; Acts 16:13-34). History testifies to the power of a praying church, and the same is true today. When we join together in prayer, God reveals His will, pours out His Spirit, and accomplishes His mission through us.
Let us commit ourselves to praying for our communities, schools, workplaces, nation, and the world. By the power of the Holy Spirit, let us rise as Christ’s church and intercede on behalf of those suffering from spiritual oppression, generational curses, and brokenness. God has called us to be watchmen for this generation, blocking the disasters of sin and declaring His salvation to all 237 nations and 5,000 tribes.
Prayer. Father, I thank You for calling us to be Your church and for placing us into Your family. Teach us to walk in unity and love, keeping the bond of peace through the Spirit. Use us as Your vessels to reveal the gospel, strengthen one another, and bring Your light to the world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.