-August 26, 2020-
Good morning, happy Wednesday,
-Many Members, One Body In Christ-
“For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.”
(Romans 12:4-5).
Paul taught the saints some very important lessons about the body of Christ: there is one body and many members. Each member, though having a different function, is important to one another. We need each other just as much as we need Christ who is our Head.
There are four places in the NT to find teaching about this subject: Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4, and 1 Peter 4. Taken all together we see that there are many members in one body and all are essential; Christ is the Head and God raised up leaders to train the members to do the work of service, with all the glory going to the Lord. There is no room for pride, for the Lord distributes the spiritual gifts through the Holy Spirit as He desires so that the church, the body of Christ, will function successfully for His glory.
Paul’s particular emphasis in today’s text is unity in diversity. We are not all the same; we need each other to serve one another and to win souls to Christ. It is a not a completion but a teamwork in the body of Christ. In sports the most successful teams work together as one, with a common goal, not caring who gets the credit as long as the team wins. This same thing is true in the body of Christ. We want souls to be saved and believers to be built up in their most holy faith.
Paul employs the analogy of the human body in 1 Corinthians 12. Every member is important: the eyes, ears, mouth, arms, legs, hands, feet, and all parts, even the internal organs that cannot be seen. All must function together for a body to be healthy. One member cannot say to another, “I don’t need you,” or “I am more important than you.” Paul had to correct the Corinthians on this.
Each believer should accept and thank God for his or her spiritual gifts and humbly employ them in serving one another. Peter wrote in 1 Peter 4:10-11, “As each one has received a gift, minister it (or serve one another) to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers (or serves), let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
Let us then employ our gifts, serving one another for the glory of Christ our Head. Every member is important for the body to function properly and effectively. Everything we have is from the Lord, so there is no room for pride or self exultation. Much of what is done for Christ is behind the scenes. May we serve with strength that He supplies.
Have a blessed day faithfully and humbly serving in the body of Christ, doing all for His glory. Stay safe and healthy.
Dean
Dean Allen's Daily Devotional 