When a person must amputate a leg due to medical reasons, it is possible to fix an artificial leg called a prosthetic leg. It appears like a normal leg and mimics the function of a leg. The Church is called the Body of Christ, and Christ Himself is the head. All believers are part of this mystical Body. (I Corinthians 12:27) However, some believers are not part of the body of Christ but mimic a prosthetic limb.
Baptized: Those who receive the Lord Jesus Christ are baptized into Christ by the Holy Spirit. (I Corinthians 12:13) Without the Word that convicts a person as a sinner and the Spirit that enlightens a person to understand the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ for salvation, a person cannot be saved. Even after this experience, a person could refuse to become a member of the Body of Christ. Some loners state that they are only connected to the Head, Lord Jesus Christ, but not the Church, the Body of Christ. They are like prosthetic limbs.
Faith: Other believers start well but become weaker and weaker in their faith. Not understanding the attributes of God, His work, and His will in an individual’s life, they shipwreck their faith. (I Timothy 1:18-19) Without good conscience or renewed conscience conditioned by Scripture, a person has cultural conditions and conscience, which will lead to disaster. When a person is not actively involved as a member of the Body of Christ, he may slip to cultural values, instead of scriptural values.
Holy Spirit: The Bible warns believers to be filled with the Spirit and walk in the Spirit. (Ephesians 5:18; Galatians 5:16-18) In contrast, believers could grieve the Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 4:30) Paul also warns not to quench or extinguish the work of the Holy Spirit. (I Thessalonians 5:19) When believers are not sensitive to the Spirit of God, they become like prosthetic limbs connected as attachments but disconnected organically.
Warning: Being in fellowship means to be nurtured, strengthened, and envisioned. The author of Hebrews warns against neglecting to come together. (Hebrews 10:25)
Am I a member of the Body or prosthetic limb?