In 1 Corinthians chapter 12 Paul reminds the church of how they were led away to idols when they were pagans. Paul tells them that no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. Paul describes how the members of the church have a variety of gifts, but all work under the direction of the same Spirit. One in the church may be given a message of wisdom, another a message of knowledge, another faith, another gifts of healing, another performing miracles, another prophecy, another distinguishing of gifts, another different languages, another the interpretation of languages. But it is the same spirit at work in each one, giving the gifts as the Spirit sees fit. The church body has many different parts but is still just one body. No matter whether we are Jew or Gentile, we are all baptized into the same body. Paul uses the comparison of the body of Christ to a human body to help us understand that many different parts are all connected together and controlled by the same Spirit. So let’s say that in the body of Christ that you are a foot, but because you’re not a hand, you don’t think your part of the body. Thinking your not a part of the body doesn’t mean that you’re not. Now if everyone in the body was an eye, how would the body be able to hear? God has placed each one of us in the body as it has pleased him. If we were all the same body part, what kind of body would that be? No, we are all different parts, but the same body. So if you are the eye, how can you say to the hand that you don’t need them? More importantly, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are very necessary. We should also clothe the less honorable parts of the body with greater honor. When God puts the body together, he gives greater honor to the less honorable in order to keep division out of the body and so the members would have equal concern for one another. If one member of the body is hurting, we should all hurt together with them, and if one member is rejoicing, we should all rejoice together. God has placed apostles in the church first, then prophets, teachers, miracles, gifts of healing, helping, managing, and various languages. Is everyone an apostle, a prophet, or a teacher? Does everyone have the gifts of miracles or healing? Does everyone speak different languages or interpret different languages? Paul advises the church to seek the greater gifts and he will show them an even better way.
Posted on: Mon, 11 Aug 2014 09:00:00 +0000
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