What does it mean that believers are members of Christ's body, flesh, and bones?
This union means that, in the spiritual realm, believers become totally integrated with Christ Himself. At salvation they are placed in Christ, and He comes to dwell within them. It is a two-way relationship, pictured by marriage, and called a great mystery concerning Christ and the church.
Les teaches that Ephesians 5:30 says we are members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones. He explains this is impossible to comprehend except by faith; it is what the Book says. In the spiritual realm, believers become totally integrated with Christ Himself: we are in Him, and He is in us. It is a two-way street. The moment we are saved, we are placed in Christ, and He also comes and dwells within us. That is why Paul uses the marriage relationship. Les further points out that verse 32 calls this a great mystery, a secret God has now revealed to this Apostle, not seen elsewhere in Scripture—not even in Israel's relationship with God, Abraham with Jehovah, or Moses with Jehovah. The cleansing is by the water of the Word, not baptismal water, so Christ can present a glorious church without spot or wrinkle, holy and without blemish.
For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.