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     There are several motifs in the New Testament instructing us regarding Christianity and the various aspect of relationship one has as a Christian. One is a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven (kingdom of God) and the Kingdom of Jesus (Colossians 1:13-16). Jesus having all authority on heaven and earth is its king (Matthew 16:18, 19; 28:18).We pondered at length the sovereignty of Jesus and the citizen’s (Christian) relationship to Him (Philippians 3:17-20). Then we considered the meaning of “Christian” – a person voluntarily became the possession of Jesus upon making the decision to trust Him and being baptized into Him (Galatians 3:27). Christians belong to Jesus (Acts 27:23). Another image of Christian relationship is the human body.

     The name Christian and citizen of the kingdom show the relationship of the Christian to Jesus. The illustration of the human body shows one aspect of the relationship of Christians to each other – that of interdependence.
     The apostle Paul describes the church as the body of Christ – “...He is the head of the body, the church,....” (Colossians 1:12, 24). Since the body is controlled by the head (brain), Jesus controls His body – the church. Paul also stated the relationship among the organs – “For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another” (Romans 12:4,5; compare 1 Corinthians 12:12).

     Two vital points: (1) The organs do not have the same function in the body. (2) The organs are “...of one another” meaning Christians are dependent upon one another. Paul emphasizes the importance of this relationship so the body (church ) will be healthy. He detailed some of the God given activities of the body parts in the early church – “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness” (Romans 12:6-8). Primarily, the goal is the spiritual encouragement and strengthening of each Christian individually. Recognizing the divine design of Jesus church, fosters closeness in relationship to one another, seeing each other as vitally important to everyone (1 Corinthians 12:12-16).

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