From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
Summary: Paul continues with his description of the body of Christ, and with it, we continue our exploration of what that means.
In our last meditation, “What Will Jesus Do?” we looked at Paul’s thesis from the perspective of an old joke. In effect, we asked the question, “What did Jesus look like without a body?” The power of this question intrigues me. For the first time, I see the “body of Christ” in a new way.
How did I “see” it before?
In the past, when I’ve read passages like this, I have visualized how the various body parts worked together. In fact, this is Paul’s point in his letter to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 12:12-31). In this letter, he talks about “many parts, but one body” (ibid, vs 20).
What is different this time is that I see Jesus growing a body so that he can do things with it.
Yes, the body will have different parts, as Paul points out. But what good is a body if you don’t do something with it? Is the body of Christ intended to wait for Jesus to return and not do anything?
What if the “body of Christ” were to “wake up?” What if, all of a sudden, Jesus decided to stretch his muscles? What if he yawned? What if he sneezed?
What if the body of Christ got up and brushed its collective teeth and smiled upon the world? What if God used his body to breathe his Spirit into others? (John 20:22)
In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul describes some things the body does. According to my online dictionary, an apostle is a “missionary” and “evangelist,” an “advocate, apologist … champion, [and] booster.” This describes a lot of people that I know.
A prophet is someone who listens to God and shares what they hear. (The rest of us are expected to verify what they say is in line with God’s Word.)
Teachers teach. (Here again, it is critical to double-check what is being taught to ensure it aligns with God’s Word.)
Then Paul lists some other interesting functions. He mentions the body of Christ doing miracles, healing people, helping, and guiding. And he includes speaking “different kinds of tongues.” (1 Corinthians 28)
But what if the part of the body of Christ I live in doesn’t do any of those things?
Remember the different parts of the body Paul talked about earlier? Perhaps churches where these things don’t happen are the quiet parts of the body?
The body of Christ is enormous today. All who believe in Jesus have a place in the body and things to do. As Paul mentions in today’s passage, “each part does its work.” Paul talks about the different functions of the body as “gifts,” and he concludes his comments to the Corinthians with this: “Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.” (1 Cor 12:31)
Application: Eagerly desire the greater gifts!
Food for Thought: How does our desire to have the “greater gifts” impact who we are as individual believers?
How does our desire to have the “greater gifts” impact who we are as individual believers?
So we build up of the body and unity in love….. even the appendix.
LOL!!
Awesome answer!!
I believe if you pray for understanding, you will be given questions to look up and meditate on. Understand will come, but in His time and for His purpose. One won’t be able to sit on a “goldmine” of understanding. You will be asked to share it.
Luke 12:48 But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.
The impact changes your life, your perspective, your walk with the Lord, what you do, and who you do it for. It changes your interactions with fellow believers and your neighbors. It changes the foundation of your life. Not just that the Lord is going to ask you to share, but people are going to be led to you. People are going to come ask you to share. If you see a person who looks or speaks to a need, the Holy Spirit may tap you on the shoulder and say “go share what has been given to you” that may take you out of your comfort zone. To recieve a gift and not use it, to me, is being lukewarm. Neither refreshing, nor useful for working.
I believe this is true of all of God’s gifts. In the spiritual and in the physical.
Im not anonymous, im CH. Silly computer machine.
Nicely said, Chris!
I can related to being nudged out of my comfort zone. God excels at doing that, but always in a gentle way. (At least so far!)
If we desire the gifts that most edify the church, then it helps us take our eyes off of ourselves and on to others in the church body. This allows us to become more like Christ. Philippians 2: 3 – 5.
Great verse, Rich, and great point! Focusing on our “self” is what draws us away from Jesus.
07-03-2023, How does our desire to have the “greater gifts” impact who we are as individual believers?
In growing humility we become more Christlike!
Our motive will help define who we are. Do we seek a greater gift, as defined by men, or as defined by God? Do we seek to do greater work for and in obedience to God, or to satisfy an inner need which could be to feed our human pride and be considered more important or better than others as we receive praises of men for what God does through us.
Matthew 23:11,Luke 9:48, Jesus tells us, The greatest among you shall be your servant and, for he who is least among you all is the one who is great.”
John 13:34-25, Jesus says, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Love always requires an “other” as an object; love cannot remain within itself, and that is part of what makes love the greatest gift.
And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body.
Colossians 3:14-15, also 1 Corinthians 13,
The greatest two commandments both include love, the greatest gift: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments”.
Matthew 22:37-40
All who choose to truly serve Christ on earth should be praying for a greater submission to Christ in us, the power to love and serve all mankind as God chooses to use us. Let God be Sovereign full time. Submit to His will over our own, just as Jesus has, and we will please God.
Ron,
Thank you! You make a very important point: Seeking the ‘greater gifts’ is really all about seeking to serve Jesus. Humility is a key part of this process. If we seek the gifts to bring glory to ourselves, that probably isn’t going to work out very well. If we seek to bring glory to our Lord, all things are possible.