by Bible League International

Verse of the Day and Devotion

Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ's body. We are many parts of one body.  - Romans 12:4-5 NLT

Devotion

In our verse for today, "Christ's body" is used by the Apostle Paul as a metaphor for the church. We know this because he clearly identifies the two terms in a number of places. (e.g., Ephesians 5:23 and Colossians 1:24) The word "church" is a translation of the Greek word "ecclesia," which means "called out assembly of people." In other words, the church, the body of Christ, is an assembly of people that have been called out of something.

From what have they been called out? The Apostle Peter says they have been called out of darkness and into the light of Christ. (I Peter 2:9) Similarly, Paul says they have been called out of the kingdom of darkness and into the Kingdom of Christ. (Colossians 1:13) The members of the church, one might say, have been called out of the wicked way of life governed by Satan and into the righteous way of life governed by Jesus Christ.

How extensive is Satan's dark reign from which the church has been called? Satan's darkness has affected every area of life. There is no area of life that has not been twisted and perverted to one degree or another by Satan's evil influence.

How extensive, then, is Christ's reign of light to which the church has been called? The light of Christ has an effect on every area of life as well. There is no area of life that is not being restored and renewed to one degree or another by Jesus Christ's reign of light.

In this transition from dark to light, therefore, the church has a role to play in every area of life. Each member of the church has a special function, or several functions, to help with the transition. These special functions are not limited to the religious professions. The church is more than just a religious institution. Since Jesus Christ's Kingdom of Light affects every area of life, he has need of members in every area. In marriage, family, school, university, media, business, politics, government, etc., he needs members with the special functions necessary to banish the darkness and introduce the light.

Wherever you see light, no matter what area of life, there the church, Christ's body, is at work.