Blueprint for Body-Life

The church is Christ's body on earth today. More than just a simple analogy with implications for evangelism, the body metaphor is also used as a way of describing the deep dynamic relationship that believers have with one another in union with Christ as their head. This relationship is one of spiritual fellowship and mutual edification, its purpose being to glorify God by promoting maturity and unity within the body. The term "body-life" is used to signify the effectual interaction that the members of Christ's body are to engage in, in order to pursue the ultimate goal of complete Christlikeness.

The biblical basis for body-life is set forth in Ephesians 4 and can be outlined as follows:

1. Christ, upon His ascension into heaven, gave gifts of leadership to the early church (v.11).
2. Possessors of these gifts (Paul, Barnabus, Philip, Timothy, to name just a few) used them to equip believers for the work of ministry (v.12).
3. Equipped believers in turn ministered to each another to bring about unity and maturity (v.12-16).

In addition, the Holy Spirit bestowed at least one spiritual gift to every member of the church body (Rom 12:4-8; 1 Cor. 12:7-11; 1 Peter 4:10-11). Today (even though the gifted leaders alluded to in Ephesians 4 have passed on) the Spirit of God continues giving gifts in order to complete the work begun. The call for us to continue in that work can be seen via the many "gift" and "one another" passages dispersed throughout the New Testament epistles. These gifts and one-anothers serve as the means by which believers are to be built up. The one-anothers include:

Loving one another - Having an inward attitude or affection which seeks the ultimate welfare of a fellow-believer (John 13:34; 1 Pet. 1:22; 1 Thess. 3:12; 1 Cor. 13:1-13).

Accepting one another - Wholeheartedly receiving into full fellowship all who believe in Jesus Christ, regardless of race, status, gender, spiritual maturity, etc., just as Christ accepted us to the glory of God (Rom. 15:7-12; 14:1; Gal. 3:26-28; 4:13-14; cf. Acts 28:2).

Being of the same mind toward one another - Having the same regard for all believers without partiality or attitude of superiority (Rom. 12:16; 2:11; James 2:1-9; 1 Tim. 5:21; Gal. 2:6-13).

Having the same care for one another - Maintaining equal interest in and concern for the welfare and ministry of every believer, based on full recognition and appreciation of his God-given position and function in the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:25,26; Rom. 12:15; 2 Cor. 11:29; Phil. 2:20; cf. Luke 15:4-6).

Being of the same mind with one another - Maintaining the same attitude, love, spirit, purpose, and judgment [as to essentials of the faith] with fellow-believers (Rom. 15:5; Phil. 1:27; 2:2; Col. 3:14; 1 Cor. 1:10; 2 Cor. 13:11; Eph. 4:3,11-16; John 17:20-23; Acts 2:41-47; 4:24,32; 5:12; 6:1-7; 15:25).

Living in peace with one another - Abiding in unity with fellow-believers through submissive and gentle behavior, with no hint of discord (disputes, dissensions, enmities, factions, jealosy, complaining, etc.) (1 Thess. 5:13; 2 Cor. 13:11; James 3:13-18; 1 Pet. 3:8; 2 Pet. 3:14; Mark 9:50; Acts 15:33; Rom. 12:18).

Seeking good for one another - Pursuing what is beneficial for fellow-believers, even if wrongs have been incurred (1 Thess. 5:15; Rom. 12:17,21; Gal. 6:10; compare Acts 15:36-39 with Col.4:10, 2 Tim. 4:11; Rom. 14:19).

Regarding one another as more important - Esteeming fellow-believers more highly than self, even if it involves self-sacrifice (Phil. 2:2-8,25,30; Acts 4:34-37).

Being humble toward one another - Clothing oneself in modest, submissive behavior toward fellow-believers, suggesting a total lack of arrogance and pride (1 Pet. 5:5-6; 3:8; Eph. 4:1-2; Col. 3:12; Rom. 12:3).

Being devoted to one another in brotherly love - Having a close-knit family affection for fellow believers as brothers and sisters in God's household, showing warmth, tenderness, concern, and loyalty (Rom. 12:10,3; 1 Thess. 2:11; 4:9-10; Phil. 2:19-22; 2 Pet. 1:7-11).

Building up one another - Promoting in fellow-believers the development of Christ-like conduct and character by means of [Scripturally-based] teaching, motivating, and modeling (1 Thess. 5:11; Eph. 4:11-16; Rom. 14:19; 1 Cor. 7:35; 2 Cor. 12:19).

Serving one another - Freely and voluntarily take up any work or task which may be necessary, helpful, or advantageous to a fellow-believer's spiritual, physical, or mental welfare (Gal. 5:13; Mark 9:35; 10:45; Phil. 2:17; Eph. 4:29; Acts 2:45; 2 Tim. 1:16-18).

Greeting one another - Giving a verbal, physical, or written address to a fellow-believer that makes him feel a welcome part of the fellowship (Rom. 16:16; 1 Cor. 16:20-21; 2 Cor. 13:12; 1 Pet. 5:14; 3 John 14; Phil. 4:21).

Being kind to one another - Expressing love to fellow-believers through gracious deeds appropriate to the occasion and in a spirit of compassion, humility, gentleness, and patience (Eph. 4:32; Acts 9:36; Col. 3:12; 1 Cor. 13:4).

Being hospitable to one another - Joyfully receiving into one's home fellow-Christians--especially strangers and those in distress--and providing for their physical and material needs as for one's own (1 Pet. 4:9; Rom. 12:10-13; Heb. 13:2; 1 Tim. 5:10; 3 John 5-7; Acts 16:14-15,33-34; cf. Matt. 25:34-36).

Honoring one another - Manifesting esteem for fellow-believers by giving them preference over self (Rom. 12:10; cf. 1 Cor. 11:33; 12:20-21).

Admonishing one another - Cautioning or warning fellow-believers concerning sinful their attitudes, practices, or unmet obligations, urging or instructing them to bring those areas of their lives into conformity with God's word (Rom. 15:14; Col. 3:16; Acts 20:29-31; Phil. 4:2; 1 Thess. 5:14; 2 Thess. 3:15; Titus 2:2-6; 1 Cor. 4:14; 10:1-12).

Exhorting one another - Urging fellow-believers by strong appeal in pursuing some course of conduct or mindset (Heb. 3:12-13; Rom. 12:1; 1 Cor. 4:16; Eph. 4:1; 1 Thess. 2:11; 4:1; Phm. 8-11; Titus 1:9; Acts 20:1).

Encouraging one another - Inspiring fellow-believers with courage or confidence in pursuing some course of conduct or mindset (1 Thess. 5:11; Acts 18:27; Rom. 1:12; 15:4-5; Col. 4:8; 1 Thess. 3:2; Heb. 10:25).

Comforting one another - Bringing consolation or reassurance to a fellow-believer following a trying experience (1 Thess. 4:8,13-18; 3:7; 2 Cor. 1:3-7; 2:6-7; 7:4-7).

Being subject to one another - Yielding ourselves voluntarily and unselfishly to the will or authority of other believers, freely submitting to their decisions, instructions, or wishes (Eph. 5:21,22-24; 6:1; Luke 2:51; Heb. 13:17; 1 Cor. 10:32-33; 16:16; 2 Cor. 8:16-17).

Bearing with one another - Graciously enduring and put up with displeasing, offensive, or sinful attitudes and actions in fellow-believers [as God has with us] (Eph. 4:2; Col. 3:12-13; 1 Thess. 5:14; 2 Tim. 2:24; 4:2; 1 Cor. 13:4; Gal. 5:22; 1 Tim. 1:16; Matt. 17:17; Rom. 3:25).

Bearing one another's burdens - Taking upon oneself a fellow-believers difficulty, problem, or oppressive circumstance as if it were our own and assume any Christ-like action to alleviate it (Gal. 6:2; 6:1; Acts 11:27-30; Phm. 10,17-19).

Confessing your sins to one another - Acknowledge to fellow-believers one's sin as an outward sign of sorrow for the offense, intent to change, and desire for reconciliation. It is to be accompanied by prayer on the part of both parties for healing (spiritual, relational, physical) (James 5:13-18; Matt. 5:23-24; cf. Matt. 3:5; Acts 19:18-20).

Forgiving one another - Removing a fellow-believer's guilt that occured as a result of sin, regarding him from the heart with compassion and mercy rather than resentment or contempt (Eph. 4:31-32; Col. 3:12-13; Matt. 18:21-35; Mark 11:25-26; Luke 17:3-4; 2 Cor. 2:10-11).

Praying for one another - Making known to God the sins, needs, or concerns of fellow-believers, asking Him to act on their behalf so that His will might be accomplished (Eph. 6:18; James 5:16; Acts 12:5; 2 Cor. 1:9-11; 13:7-9; Col. 1:9; 4:12).

Teaching one another - Exposing, explaining, or instructing fellow-believers in biblical truth that they may understand it and apply it to their lives, having first let it become deeply implanted in our own (Col. 3:16; 1 Cor. 14:26; Acts 18:26; Rom. 2:21).

Stimulating one another to love and good deeds - Spurring fellow-believers on to self-sacrificial love and godly works by any Christ-like means (e.g., encouraging, exhorting, admonishing, rebuking (Heb. 10:24; cf. Acts. 15:31; 2 Tim. 4:2).

There are also some "one anothers" that we are not to engage in, specifically:

Not judging one another - Reckoning a fellow-believer as being inferior, incorrect, or immoral in his appearance, actions, or beliefs based on one's own standard rather than God's (Rom. 14:1-13; Matt. 7:1-2; John 7:24; James 2:1-4; Col. 2:16; Heb. 4:12; cf. Acts 23:3; 1 Cor. 9:8; 10:29; 1 Sam. 16:7).

Not speaking against one another - Speaking of a fellow-believer in such as way as to discredit, dishonor, depreciate or belittle his character or actions, giving outward indication that an inward judgment has taken place (James 4:11-12; 2 Cor. 12:20; Eph. 4:31; Col. 3:8; 1 Pet. 2:1; 3:9; 3 John 9-10).

Not complaining against one another - Expressing discontent, impatience, or displeasure with one believer to other believers, usually in a secret or covert manner (James 5:9; Col. 3:12-13; 1 Pet. 4:9; Acts 6:1; Luke 15:2; 1 Cor. 10:10-11).

Not challenging one another - Inciting or irritating a fellow-believer by contesting his work, reputation, position, or belief by words or actions in an effort to assert oneself or gain recognition (Gal. 5:26; cf. 6:12; 1 Cor. 3:3-4; 2 Cor. 10:12).

Not biting and devouring one another - Showing hostility and ill-will to fellow-believers through attacks on their person, character, worth, motives, beliefs, or actions in order to establish one's own advantage or superiority (Gal. 5:14-15; 3 John 9-10).

Not envying one another - Craving for oneself the position, ability, achievement, or possessions of a fellow-believer, usually with a sense of resentment that the other has the advantages one desires (Gal. 5:25-26; Rom. 13:13; 1 Cor. 3:2-3; 12:15-16; Eph. 5:3; 1 Tim. 6:6-8; 1 Pet. 2:1; James 4:2-3).

Not lying to one another - Telling as true that which is known to be false, distorting the truth in any way, or conveying a false impression of oneself or something, with the intent to deceive another believer (Col. 3:9-10; James 3:14; 5:12; Rom. 9:1; 16:17-18; 1 John 1:6; Acts 5:3; Rev. 21:7).

Spiritual growth is maximized when the Spirit of God uses both the word of God and the people of God to dynamically change lives. As stewards of Christ, we must ask ourselves, "Does the outer form and the inner setting of church we pursue best facilitate the work of the Holy Spirit in accomplishing spiritual formation?

...remember the parable of the talents? (Matthew 25)