Tag: one body
Day 3–Different but essential
Scripture reading for March 25: 1 Corinthians 12:14-18 “For the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as He chose.”
To help believers understand how their different gifts and abilities fit together in Christ’s body, Paul used the example of a human body. He satirically used parts of the body that were essential to the body’s function and gave them a complaint that they were not the center of attention. The foot and the hand reacted in jealousy to the other’s prominence. The ear and the eye had a similar complaint. Paul was revealing pride and boastfulness that bring division and disrupts the unified working of any team. Each person was a gift from God for the benefit of the body’s perfect function.
As first responders, it would be good to take note of this simple teaching and illustration from Scripture. The first thing to note is that whatever place you hold in the team of the department or unit you work with is God’s choice. You may have volunteered, or interviewed and were hired, but behind it all is God’s loving direction and the fulfilment of His plans.
Another point is that we recognize that each member of the team as important and we need them as they need us. The diversity of gifts is a great blessing. In the department that I belong to, I am so grateful for the many years of experience and the various levels of training that brings effectiveness to our team of firemen and women. I am blessed to learn from each person new skills and ways of working together. God has placed each person where He chose and given them gifts.
Prayer: Father God, thank You for overseeing the gifts and abilities given to each person. Thank You for the diversity of gifts and personalities that You put together. Help me to cooperate with Your purposes each day and to do my part to maintain unity. Amen.
Day 2–Though Many We Are One
Scripture reading for March 24: Romans 12:3-6 “For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given us, let us use them: . . .”
The body of Christ is composed of many members with various giftings and talents and abilities. Paul, writing to the Roman believers, encouraged them to hold their own giftings with great humility. It is God Who has blessed us with our abilities and gifts, we can claim little credit. We use our giftings by faith as acts of grace to bless and serve others. In fact, we belong to God and to each other in Christ’s body.
There are no big “I’s” or little “you’s” in Christ’s family. We are all on level ground at the foot of Jesus’ cross. He gifted us as He determined for His purposes and glory. One gift is not superior to the other so there is no reason for boasting or strife coming from pride and self-exaltation. We are to value each member and consider others of more importance than ourselves. (Philippians 2:3-4) We are to use our gifts to serve one another and those to whom God sends us. Our attitude of humility and loving and cheerful service reflects our Lord Jesus.
Unity and teamwork are valuable among those working together to help others. Pride and holding grudges cause attitudes that divide and and create tension. These attitudes are easily detected by those being helped and interfere with rendering needed aide. Each person should check their own heart and make necessary adjustments.
Prayer: Father God, thank You for bringing many and varied members into Your family. Help me to value each person you place on the team of responders I serve with. Give me grace to use my gifts to serve others and not as a means of gaining attention or controlling others. Amen.
Genuine love and service
Scripture reading for June 30: Romans 12
“For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.” Romans 12:4-9
These last four chapters of Romans contain practical instruction for those who by faith have obtained right standing with God through faith in Jesus Christ. Paul viewed the Church of Jesus as a human body with each member having different functions by God’s design and grace. Each person is different in their gifting and ability. These differences are necessary and designed by God to enable His Body, the Church, to function and fulfill His purposes. There are no gifts that are unimportant or to be looked down on. On the other hand, no gift is to cause pride or exaltation either. They are gifts given by God, not owned or earned by those having them. All are fit together by God into one Body with Jesus Christ as Head.
The bottom line is to live together with each other in genuine love and harmony. We are to serve one another and God with our giftings and giving and speaking and leadership gifts. We need each other and complement one another. We all have the choice of using our gifts or hiding them. God encourages us to use them to serve each other and Him. We must hate and resist evil and love and cling to what is good. Love in our hearts by God’s Holy Spirit empowers us with gifts and the heart to serve willingly!
Have you taken time to examine what gifts God has given you to serve others? Are you envious of the gifts of others? What steps might be useful today in your life to show genuine love for others in Christ’s body, the Church?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for making each of us special and different in giftings. Forgive me when I have been jealous or envious of others abilities and gifts. Fill me with the love of the Holy Spirit and help me to use my giftings and abilities to humbly serve others with joy. You are worthy of my service! Amen.