Eph 4:16 For because of Him the whole body (the church, in all its various parts), closely joined and firmly knit together by the joints and ligaments with which it is supplied, when each part [with power adapted to its need] is working properly [in all its functions], grows to full maturity, building itself up in love. AMPThomas Jefferson compared the human body to a machine. In his old age, he wrote to John Adams and said, ". . . our machines have now been running seventy or eighty years, and we must expect that, worn as they are, here a pivot, there a wheel, now a pinion, next a spring, will be giving way; and however we may tinker them up for a while, all will at length surcease their motion."
There was truth in what Jefferson wrote. The body is like a machine in many ways. Its various parts work together in a single purpose, and all are directed by a brain that functions much like a computer. Yet as good as Jefferson's analogy is, it falls short in several ways. A machine does not direct itself. Its computerized "brain" must be programmed by someone in order for it to function properly. A machine performs its functions purposefully, but it is a purpose determined by its designer. Moreover, although a machine may be used to repair other machines, it really does not repair itself.
The human body is so unique, in fact, that it is the analogy that Scripture uses to help us understand the nature of the church. The church is the body of Christ, with Jesus as its head and its various members functioning as joints and ligaments. This metaphor is used in Eph 4:3 to support Paul's teaching on the importance of keeping the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Unity among Christians is often emphasized today. There are even organizations whose purpose is to promote unity among various Christian groups and denominations. But what is most noticeable about Paul's teaching about Christian unity is that it emphasizes lifestyle rather than organization. In fact, Paul really does not urge Christians to unite. According to Eph 4:3, the unity of the Spirit is already a reality. Whether or not we like it, we are united with everyone else who is in Jesus Christ.
Paul's concern is not whether there will be unity in the church but whether that unity will be maintained in the bond of peace. Believers can be bound together in peace, or they can be bound together in their dislike for one another. It is clear that peace among the members of the body of Christ is not automatic. It must be preserved.
Three factors contribute to the unity of the church. One factor is the character of God. The Bible teaches that the one true God exists in a single essence as three distinct persons. There is "one Spirit," "one Lord," and "one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all" (Eph 4:4-6). Although this concept is difficult to grasp, it is a fundamental teaching of the Christian faith. The unity of the Godhead is reflected in the makeup of the church. In fact, Jesus prayed for this very thing in the garden of Gethsemane (John 17:20-21).
The second contributing factor to the unity of the church is a common spiritual experience. All believers are united in their hope of eternal life and in their experience of being joined to Christ by the Holy Spirit (Eph 4:5-7). Churches have many different methods of receiving new members. Some are elaborate. For example, the candidate may be asked to go through a lengthy catechism class or screening process. Other churches are more simple. If you walk up the aisle at the end of the service, you automatically become a member of that church. When it comes to joining the body of Christ, however, everybody must enter the same way. Each one must come by faith in Jesus Christ to receive the grace of God. Although the times and circumstances of conversion differ for each, the spiritual mechanics are the same for everybody.
The third factor that contributes to the unity of the church is a common doctrine. In Eph 4:5 Paul says that all those who are part of the body of Christ share "one faith." Although Paul often uses this term to speak of the need for personal trust in the saving work of Christ, in this case he is referring to "the faith"—the body of teachings that comprise the church's doctrine. One of the ironies of today's emphasis on church unity is the tendency to downplay the importance of biblical doctrine. Those who hold this view assert that what the world needs most is to see those who profess to be Christians getting together for worship or community action. "Ignore the differences in doctrine," they recommend. "Focus instead on those issues upon which we all agree." True biblical unity, however, is founded on a system of belief. Without sound doctrine, the church's unity is just a sham. It is purely cosmetic.
Although the biblical analogy of the body points to the unity that all believers share in Christ, it also underscores the diversity that exists among those who are in the church. Just as the human body has many members, each with its own unique function, every believer performs a distinct role in the body of Christ: "The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ"(1 Cor 12:12).
When we violate this principle, we usually do so in two ways. One way is to see ourselves as unnecessary to the healthy functioning of the church. This is often due to a sense of inferiority. Since we do not have many gifts, or the gifts that we have do not seem remarkable, we conclude that we are not essential (1 Cor 12:15-16). The other way that we violate this principle is by competing with the other members of the body (1 Cor 12:21). When this happens, the church engages in what might be described as a "beauty contest," giving preference to those whose gifts are more spectacular. In reality, every member contributes to the operation of the body as a whole. Even those whose gifts seem unimpressive are essential to the health of the church (1 Cor 12:23-24).
There is one sense in which Thomas Jefferson's words about the human body are all too true. Despite the wonder of its design and the interworking of its parts, no matter how much we tinker with it, in time it will cease to function. The body's capacity to heal itself is limited. But the opposite is true of the church. The body of Christ will build itself up "until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ" (Eph 4:13).
Head of the Church, I am grateful that Your Spirit has made me a part of the body of Christ. Open my eyes to see the value of my own ministry and the importance of all those who work together with me to build up the church. Amen.
John Koessler serves as chair and professor of pastoral studies at the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Illinois. He is married to Jane and has two sons, Drew and Jarred. John is the author of ten books and numerous articles. He also serves as a contributing editor for the Moody Bible Institute publication Today in the Word, where you can read his monthly “Theology Matters” column. You can contact John via email at John.Koessler@moody.edu or by phone at (312) 329-4077
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