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 Corinthians 12: 12, NIV)

Paul uses the picture of the body as a single, complete group of parts to make the point: you belong.

And it’s not a belonging that you have had to earn. Rather, that place in the body became yours the minute you accepted Jesus Christ’s gift to you: new life, new name, new robes – because of His death on the cross. No one can revoke your membership in His body.

In fact, your part in the body is particular and specific: only you can do what you can do . . . in Christ. The gifts you bring are yours alone to bring. No other woman will sing, speak, write, administer, teach, pray, encourage, help, prophesy, dance, preach, plant churches, weep or listen . . . the way you do. Without you and your gifts, the body is incomplete and the image of Christ that His body presents to the world is stunted.

You belong. Have you claimed your membership?