Rather presumptuous of me to tell you what you need… but that’s precisely what I am doing! After you are born again – and that does come first – you have to learn and grow to become your best you. Why? Because you are needed and essential to the body. The body is not complete without you. I really can’t say this strongly enough. The entire 12th chapter in 1 Corinthians talks about us – who we are and how we are needed. Excerpts (NASB):
“For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all
the members of the body, though they are many, are one body,
so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one
body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we
were all made to drink of one Spirit.” (v. 12-13)
” For the body is not one member, but many.” (v.14)
“But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the
body, just as He desired. If they were all one member, where would
the body be? But now there are many members, but one body.” (v.18-20)
” Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it.” (v. 27)
And these words are in just 1 of the chapters in the New Testament. If you had any question about being included, this should end it. However, I do believe there is a caveat and that is your own personal understanding! It is absolutely crucial for you being able to fulfill your calling, your assignments. And the method is reading and growing through your understanding of scripture. Yes, there are other aspects, such as fellowship, that also are important.
