Saturday, September 3, 2022

There should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other

1 Corinthians 12:12-30

Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.

But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles?  Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.

Christian unity does not imply uniformity. The gifts come from a single Source and are given for the good of the whole church. Every individual has an indispensable part to play in the life of the one body. This should prevent a universal scramble for the same gifts, The important thing is not which gifts are most impressive, but which best serve to build up the church. This means that prophecy - a message from God which everyone can understand - is of more value than tongues.

Why?

We are part of the church like a body has many parts, every part has its functionality, then this church could be healthy and has power, and every part is equal, for the leader of the church is Jesus Christ.

The Holy Spirit is given by the Lord, it is the authority of the Lord to give to anyone God thinks is good. We can't ask the Lord to give us what kind of gifts, but we may humble ourselves and uniformly serve the Lord.

How?

May my heart, my mind, and my life could be used for the Lord to honor his great name. Give thanks to the Lord.

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