The Church Belongs to Christ

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Scripture: Ephesians 1:22-23 (NIV)

And God placed all things under his[Christ’s] feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

Devotion
Paul concludes his grand opening praise in Ephesians by defining the church in cosmic terms: it is the body of Christ, embodying the very completeness of the One who sustains all things. In calling the church “his body,” Paul reminds us that every believer is organically joined to Jesus, sharing in his life, his mission, and his ongoing work of renewal.

This metaphor carries three profound truths. First, Christ is the head—he directs, heals, and equips. As branches receive life and fruitfulness from the vine (John 15:5), so the body thrives when it remains connected to Jesus. Second, the church is not a loose network of individuals but a living organism. Each member matters, whether visible or hidden, celebrated or unnoticed. Your gifts, prayers, and acts of service knit you into the whole, bringing balance and harmony.

Finally, the church is “the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.” In Christ, every deficiency is made whole. Where there is weakness, his strength is present. Where there is brokenness, his healing overflows. And where the world feels empty—searching for meaning, justice, and hope—the church is called to be the tangible expression of Christ’s all-sufficiency. We carry his presence into neighborhoods, workplaces, and families, testifying that in him all needs find their true source.

Today, let this verse reshape how you see yourself and your local church body. You are not merely a consumer of spiritual goods but a vital, life-giving member of Christ’s body. Ask the Spirit to reveal how Christ’s fullness might flow through you—bringing compassion to the hurting, truth to the confused, and grace to the weary. As you step into that calling, you’ll experience afresh the wonder of being filled and of filling others with the life of Jesus.

Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for uniting us to Christ as his body and for filling us with his fullness. Teach us to abide in Jesus so that his life flows through every part of our church. Empower us by your Spirit to bring healing, hope, and grace to a world in need. In Jesus’ name, Amen

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