Good morning!
Text: 1 Corinthians 12-14; Psalm 100
I Corinthians 12 teaches us God’s beautiful plan for us, the body of Christ. We see how we are diverse – each with our particular assignments and spiritual gifts for serving one another and the Lord. As Americans, we think and view the world from a very individualistic mind set, and these words of the beauty of diversity ring sweet and true to us. Of course, the body is also a unity – we are together and inseparable. So, while we are individuals indeed, we are not at all independent. We are connected to the core. Consider these words:
“If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.” (12:26)
Did you ever stop to think that the person who sits on the other side of the church – the one you don’t really know – when he or she loses a loved one, or gets ill, or is disappointed – that we all ought to feel the pain? When I was first taught this verse years ago, the immediate application was to attend the funerals for loved ones of anybody in my church family – even complete strangers. And that when one among celebrates a victory – we all have right and reason to rejoice too? What an incredible thing that we are so deeply connected in this forever family. Blessing upon blessing!
in Him, Mike