Of One Body

Spiritual gifts are typically a hot topic in the church for many reasons, unfortunately, often the wrong ones. In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul talks all about these gifts: what they are, where they come from, and how they should be used. Although I highly recommend reading the chapter in its entirety, it is a bit long, so I'll just highlight some verses that stood out to me.

vv 4-7:

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

Paul's point here is pretty clear: each person has a different gift, but they all come from God and are for the benefit of the church as a whole, not just the individual.

vv 11:

All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.

One of those wrong reasons I mentioned earlier is envy. Just like in any other matter, some might be considered "more gifted" than others, but the Spirit of God apportions to each person as He wills.

vv 12-30:

For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves[d] or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.

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. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.

The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.

Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?

That's a pretty large chunk, but I think the entire analogy Paul uses here is so useful. Indeed, no matter how important one part of the body may seem, all of them need each other. So it is within the church, the body of Christ. No matter where you think you fall, and what gifts you may or may not have, you are an indispensable livingstone in the house of God.

I find that it is helpful to remember that God didn't just call a whole bunch of people, like "Hey! All of you come with me." No, He called each of us individually by name. He said, "Trinity, come. [Insert name here], come." If He did so, don't you think He had a valid reason why? A purpose for you? God gives grace to each of us specifically to do what He's called us to do. He gives us the gifts as He sees fit. So, don't go trying to run another person's race or compare yourself with others. You are a member of this body, purposefully different from the other members.

In verse 31, Paul concludes by saying,

But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.

It's a lead-in to the next chapter, and perhaps we'll continue with that next week. Go ahead and read chapter 13 if you would like to.

Peace and love of Christ be with you all!!!