There is One Body

When I read the passage on the word “body” this morning, I was not able to fully put my thoughts together. I stepped away for the day and came back to God’s Word this afternoon and it hit me like a freight train. There is but one Body of Christ.

I hear and have written about the church and/as the Body of Christ. Notice in my writing “the”. This as I was thinking this afternoon was not fully accurate. Yes, there is “the” church and “the” Body of Christ, but how much have we thought of there only being “one”?

“⁴There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— ⁵one Lord, one faith, one baptism, ⁶one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” – Ephesians 4:4-6 (ESV)

I read the words of Paul and see the key part of the verses above being “one” in this instance. There is but ONE in each instance.

Now, there are many parts to this one body as I have written, but it is just that, many parts to the “one” Body of Christ. There are not multiple factions of the body of Christ, only One. There are not your body of Christ and my body of Christ, there is only the One Body of Christ.

It is easy to get caught up in just saying the words and not really thinking of the meaning of them and that meanings impact. For me as I learn and understand more, it is the meaning that makes it all worth while. I have to remember to keep this in mind as I learn, speak, write, and overall communicate. I have to take into account the meaning of what I am saying to ensure that I am saying things the right way. With this meaning of the words in mind, I will be working to speak of the “One” Body of Christ and not just “the” Body of Christ.

What is your view/look at the difference in “the” versus “one” Body of Christ? Are you even thinking of the meaning of the words when spoken? What if you were to really dig into the meaning to ensure you are getting it right and speaking to One Body of Christ?