ONE BODY, ONE HEAD

One Body, One Head: Living God’s Design for Unity

Look around—how many heads are on one body? Only one. And yet, that one body is made up of many members.

The Bible tells us:

“Now you collectively are Christ’s body, and individually you are members of it—each with your own special spiritual purpose.” (1 Corinthians 12:27)

Like a puzzle, each believer holds a piece. On our own, we cannot see the whole picture. But together, we display Christ to the world.

“He is the Head of His body, the church. He is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything He might have the supremacy.” (Colossians 1:18)

If Christ is the Head, then what are we? His body—united, not divided. This unity is not just something we attend on Sundays—we are the Church, called to reflect Christ in our marriages, families, and communities.

Called Into One Body

Scripture makes this theme clear:

• “For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 12:13)

• “So we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.” (Romans 12:4–5)

• “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28)

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Unity is not optional—it is the essence of belonging to Christ. He came to abolish oppression and set captives free (Luke 4:18). Being captive can mean controlled by another while believing we are independent.

God’s Original Design

From the very beginning, before sin entered the earth, God created humans—male and female—in His image and gave them both authority to govern:

“So God created human beings in His own image; in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them and said, ‘Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it.’” (Genesis 1:27–28)

Both male and female were designed to govern together. Just as the Trinity rules in unity, humanity reflects that same design.

Why one body? The Holy Spirit impressed on me that this leaves no room for discrimination, exclusion, or blame.

A Different Model of Leadership

The world teaches that “only one can lead.” But Jesus gave a radically different model:

“You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.” (Matthew 20:25–26)

Jesus did not come to be served, but to serve—and we are called to lead in the same way.

True unity is not when one person believes they are “on top,” better, or “the boss.” That is the opposite of collaboration, opposite of the Kingdom way. The world calls it hierarchy—one above, everyone else below. But God calls us to something higher. A true team is one body, with no one elevated above another—except Jesus, the Head.

Leadership in God’s design is about serving one another, collaborating, and using our gifts together against the real enemy, not each other. It doesn’t have to be the same person leading all the time; we submit to one another’s (Eph. 5:21) spiritual gifts, strengths, and talents—not to a gender. "Headship" in marriage does not exist in the original Greek. (see other posts)

• “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9)

• “The Lord will make you the head and not the tail; you shall be above only, and not beneath—if you carefully observe His commandments.” (Deuteronomy 28:13)

  
  

Even in marriage, collaboration is God’s design. We are not competitors but co-laborers—-co image bearers - puzzle pieces that fit together to reveal Christ Himself.

Our Superpower

Our authority in Christ is not over each other but against evil.

Every human has different spiritual gifts. When I unite with my husband, our gifts combine into a unique superpower against the enemy. When I unite with a friend, we create a different kind of superpower. Each partnership releases a new expression of God’s strength. When we release our different superpowers together, the enemy doesn’t know what’s coming at him.

It’s not about categories of gender, race, or status. It’s about knowing the spiritual gifts God has given us, recognizing our strengths and weaknesses, and helping each other. God doesn’t create two identical snowflakes—and neither are we.

Our superpower is spiritual, not physical. God’s Kingdom is spiritual, not human. Walking by the Spirit, we reflect Jesus through our gifts, character, and anointing.

“You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.” (Revelation 5:10)

Together, as the Church, we reign—not one above the other, but side by side, each bringing a unique piece of the puzzle to reveal Christ to the world.

How to Co-Lead in Marriage

Co-leadership is possible when both choose to be mature and crucify their pride and self-centeredness. It requires communicating empathetically and respectfully, where no one has the last say. God’s Kingdom is not founded on dictatorship—it is built on collaboration - being one. True co-leadership looks like:

• Shared decision-making.

• Sharing chores and responsibilities.

• Supporting each other’s gifts, goals, and dreams.

• Choosing collaboration over competition.

• Serving without expecting to be served.

• Outdoing one another in showing respect (Romans 12:10).

• Building each other up, knowing that unity brings strength.

• Remembering: Jesus is the Head in marriage. Anything else is idolatry.

  
  

This is what being one looks like—living as a unified body, side by side, reflecting Christ in every area of life.

Recap

Scripture consistently calls us to unity and collaboration because it leads to strength, fruitfulness, and victory.

We are not called to compete or divide by gender, race, or status. Each person is uniquely created with strengths, talents, and spiritual gifts. Each of us holds one piece of the puzzle. Together, our gifts create something far greater than ourselves.

Unity is not hierarchy. In God’s Kingdom, there is only one Head—Jesus. The rest of us are equal members of His body, stronger together, each revealing Christ. The enemy seeks division and oppression because it makes him stronger.

We are not merely part of the Church—we are the Church. Alone, we are limited. Together, we are unstoppable—because the image that emerges is not ours, but Jesus.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for making us one body with You as the Head. Forgive us for the times we have competed instead of collaborated. Help us to value every person as uniquely created with gifts, strengths, and purpose. Teach us to serve one another with humility, walk in unity, and use our spiritual gifts together as a powerful force against the enemy. May our marriages, friendships, and churches reflect Your image, so that when the world looks at us, they see only You. Amen.