MY PERSPECTIVE, Gary Damron
We just returned home from a trip where we spent 11 days with family members in their RV, then ended with a cousins' reunion. Each of those had the potential for an unpleasant outcome, but instead they resulted in fun memories and a deeper appreciation for those who made it all happen.
Last week we looked at some metaphors used to describe the church, including a family, a body, a vine and branches, and a spiritual house made of living stones. Today, using 1 Corinthians 12, we'll focus on the character of the Church, with a key component of unity. Jesus prayed shortly before His death, "'...that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me'" (John 17:21). Before that, He told the disciples, "'By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another'" (John 13:35).
Paul began chapter 12 by writing about gifts from the Spirit, and sometimes we meet people who are hung up on what their "gift" is - or is not. (It may be more important to focus on the fruit of the Spirit: "...love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control" in Galatians 5:22-23). After describing some possible gifts, Paul wrote, "But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills" (1 Corinthians 12:4-11). The list doesn't cover every possibility, and our "gift" may not be something we thought we wanted. But if used correctly, our gift will serve the ministry of Jesus with selflessness. And it will glorify God and strengthen the body of Christ in unity and love.
Paul's discussion focuses on some things that should not exist in the church, including discord, jealousy, and pride. The fulfillment of God's purposes depends on the Holy Spirit, not on who we are or what we do. Verses 12-13 read, "For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body...". If we're focused on self, disagreement, discord, divisiveness and even divorces occur.
In verses 14-20, Paul went into detail comparing parts of a body to illustrate how disruptive jealousy can be. "If the foot says, 'Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,' it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body" (verse 15). Rather than envying or belittling, we need to honor one another, with every role strengthening the body's purpose in Christ.
Verses 21-24 continue with the ridiculous conversation between body parts. "And the eye cannot say to the hand, 'I have no need of you'; or again the head to the feet, 'I have no need of you'" (verse 21). Each member (body part) focused on Christ will be unifying. But either thinking too highly - or its flip side, belittling or degrading oneself - will be divisive within the body. Each part is essential to fulfill the mission.
Paul then moved on to things that are necessary in the church, including belonging and care. Verses 25-26 read, "...the members may have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it." Respect is to be shown in all circumstances; every Christian is involved in the success or failure of fellow members.
Mutual interdependence (verses 28-30) is also necessary. Each person in the Church, as Christ's body, has a unique contribution to make for the benefit of the whole. God appoints some to diverse roles, which strengthens unity as each member contributes uniquely to Christ's work.
Wrapping up 1 Corinthians 12, Paul made a final plea and a promise. "But earnestly desire the greater gifts. And I show you a still more excellent way" (verse 31). The "Love Chapter", the universal call to love, immediately follows. What he's getting at all along is that love is more important than anything that divides. Gifts, positions, allegiances are totally unimportant in the face of love. The most important gift is telling people about the love of Christ - and exhibiting love.
Prior to His ascension, Jesus was present on earth. He was hated, misunderstood, and dealt daily with challenging people, yet He continued to love. Now, though we no longer see Christ among us, the Holy Spirit lives through each believer. We as the Church have the opportunity to tell what Jesus has done for us, and to reveal Christ as the Holy Spirit lives through us.
Songwriter Annie Johnson Flint wrote, "He has no hands but our hands to do His work today; He has no feet but our feet to lead men in His way; He has no voice but our voice to tell men how He died; He has no help but our help To lead them to His side." With Christ as our Head, we should pursue love, use our gifts to build His church, and reflect His unity to a divided world.
