Living as One: The Mission and Purpose of the Body of Christ

The body of Christ is a term used to describe the collective group of believers in Jesus Christ. Just as a physical body is made up of many different parts, so too is the body of Christ made up of individuals with unique gifts, talents, and callings. The mission and purpose of the body of Christ is to work together as one unit, to fulfill the great commission and bring glory to God.

The great commission, as stated in the book of Matthew, is to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20). This command is at the heart of the mission of the body of Christ. It is a call to spread the good news of Jesus Christ and make disciples of all people.

In order to effectively fulfill the great commission, the body of Christ must work together in unity. This means putting aside personal agendas and differences in order to focus on the common goal of reaching and impacting the world for Christ. The apostle Paul wrote about the importance of unity within the body of Christ in his letter to the Ephesians, saying, “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3).

Unity within the body of Christ also involves recognizing and valuing the unique gifts and abilities that each individual brings to the table. The apostle Paul uses the analogy of the physical body to illustrate this point in his first letter to the Corinthians, writing, “Now the body is not made up of one part but of many… 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?” (1 Corinthians 12:14-17).

Just as the different parts of the physical body work together for the overall health and functioning of the body, so too must the members of the body of Christ work together for the advancement of the kingdom of God. Each person has a specific role to play in fulfilling the mission and purpose of the body of Christ, and when all individuals are working together in unity, the body is able to operate at its full potential.

Ultimately, the mission and purpose of the body of Christ is to bring glory to God. This means living in such a way that reflects the character and love of Christ to the world. Jesus said, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34-35).

When the body of Christ is living in unity and love, fulfilling the great commission, and using the unique gifts and abilities of each member, it brings honor and glory to God. The mission and purpose of the body of Christ is to be a shining light in a dark world, drawing others to Christ through its love, unity, and proclamation of the gospel.

In conclusion, the body of Christ is called to live as one, working together in unity to fulfill the great commission and bring glory to God. Each individual has a unique role to play in advancing the kingdom of God, and when all members are working together in love and unity, the body is able to operate at its full potential. May we strive to live as one, fulfilling the mission and purpose of the body of Christ, and bringing glory to God in all that we do.