Friday, 26 June 2026

Romans part 180 - Life in the Body 5

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Romans 12:5 so we, who are many, are one body in Messiah and everyone parts of one another.

There are no wasted words in Scripture. Why did Paul have to tell the Romans (to whom he was writing) that although thee are many of us, we are one body in Messiah? As if that isn't enough, he adds, "and everyone parts of one another." So, I ask again, why is this important?

There are so many factors to consider. Yeshua spent a large part of His ministry to the Apostles, teaching them how to be part of one body for the purpose of serving one another. Even He had trouble getting the message through. At the Last Supper ... Luke 22:24 But there was also a quarrel among them about which of them is considered the greatest. Yeshua knows the gravity of the situation. He is about to be betrayed, yet the ones who stayed most faithful were having an argument that had its origins in pride.

"We ... are one body." The various parts of a body work together for the purpose of producing life for all the individual parts. So it is in the Body of Messiah. Many times in Scripture the message is clear as stated by Paul a few verses later ... Romans 12:10 Be tenderly devoted to one another in brotherly love; outdo one another in giving honor.

The key is found in the phrase "mutual blessing." Trees grow best in a forest so they don't fall over. The wind blows, but they strengthen one another through a storm. In the body of Messiah, before this is effective we have to learn to trust one another. As we see from the example of the Apostles this is easier said than done. But as we walk together through the trials of life, we grow in mutual blessing.

Ephesians 4:1-3 I ... urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (ESV)

Let's commit to do that, and do it well. Shalom shalom.