“For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 12:13, KJV
The analogy of the human body and the spiritual body of believers is wonderful. We must all labor collectively. Just as fingers work together to pick up a cup of water or to write an email, members of the church body must come together as one to accomplish a goal or complete a given task. Each has an integral part. No one part is better than the other, they just have different functions.
Often in churches, many are “title seekers.” The only title that really matters is Christian. We’ve heard the term “true Christian,” I’ve used it as well, but I wondered, what is that? A Christian is a Christian—either you are or you aren’t. That’s like saying a little pregnant, either you are or you’re not. But then I looked at the words Jesus spoke, "But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth...," John 4:23, KJV. I understand now that He knew in advance that this term would indeed be needed. There are so many make-believers that the distinction has to be made clear.
What about the person behind the title? It is the same outside of the church, a doctor is no better than a janitor, a CEO of a company is no better than a person at entry level, a pastor is no better than an usher or choir member—just different functions. And each function must be occupied to make the operation run effectively. Have you ever seen a call center with no customer service representatives? Have you ever effectively printed something out with no paper and ink, but you had a printer? What about a car with no wheels? Where would you go? “But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body,” 1 Corinthians 12:18-20, KJV.
We all need one another as believers, a gift God has given you I may not have. I believe God did this for a reason, so people won’t get full of themselves or the big head. No one person has everything. If a person did, that person would be God, and Jesus is no longer walking on this earth. “So that there should be no division or discord or lack of adaptation [of the parts of the body to each other], but the members all alike should have a mutual interest in and care for one another,” 1 Corinthians 12:25, AMP
Do we care for one another? Do we offer friendship, a helping hand, or a kind word? What about a smile? Do we even care …enough to love?
Additional References: 1 Corinthians 12:12-31, 1 Corinthians 13
2 comments:
Amen. There is no one position that is more important than another in the body of Christ or otherwise. God placed us all here for a specific purpose...he has called each of us to be a help one to another. Hence the ministry of helps that the bible speaks of. You don't here much about the helps ministry at least I hadn't until recently...I never even realized it was mentioned in the bible...See 1Corinthians 12:28..."And God hath set some in the church, first Apostles, Secondarily Prophets,thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments,diversities of tongues." I'm familiar with this scripture...heard it many times over but it seems like the focus remains for many of us on the top 3-4 ministry positions mentioned...God set these positions in the church for the perfecting of the saints...each one needs the other to function effectively...when the helps ministry starts to effectively function in churches then growth will be ridiculous if I can say that.:)
Just one more add...a note to everyone...remember, God does not act on the behalf of Status he acts on the behalf of Servants...(my Apostle spoke on that in a sermon one day).
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