02/26/2008
1 Corinthians 12:12 (HCSB)
12For as the body is one and has many parts, and all the parts of that body, though many, are one body—so also is Christ.
1 Corinthians 12:18 - 20 (HCSB)
18But now God has placed the parts, each one of them, in the body just as He wanted. 19And if they were all the same part, where would the body be? 20Now there are many parts, yet one body.
1 Corinthians 12:26 - 27 (HCSB)
26So if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. 27Now you are the body of Christ, and individual members of it.
As you read this devotional today, you have given absolutely no thought to the whereabouts or condition of your left pinky-toe. Even now you consciously wiggle it to me sure it is still there. It is a part of the body to which we give little thought – that is, until we clip it on the leg of a chair. Then we are acutely aware of that pinky-toe.
But the fact of the matter is, if you were to lose that pinky-toe, you would gain a noticeable limp. That one little toe, which seems to have very little purpose, actually contributes to the stability of your steps and when it is gone, you have less control over how you balance on your foot when you walk.
So it is with the body of Christ. It is easy to esteem the most visible parts of the body of Christ, like our pastors and church leaders, but where would the church be if we were all pastors? Well, for one, our church bathrooms would be a total mess.
But seriously, we all play a role in the body of Christ. We each have a function where we contribute and even though our function may not be highly visible, or “honorable”, when that function is missing, it is noticed. There are some who find joy in making sure the church restrooms are clean and serviceable. I for one, applaud those individuals.
Paul makes this analogy about the body of Christ and the physical body, and I think it is a good analogy. The human body is a marvelous and complex system of interacting muscles and organs. Likewise, as the body of Christ, we all have different talents and abilities and as we contribute those to the entire body, we strengthen and honor the whole assembly.
Let me encourage you in two ways. First of all, find a place where you can contribute to the body of Christ. In so doing, you will not only strengthen other believers, but your own faith. Secondly, do not consider your contribution to be insignificant. God has placed you there for a reason. Take joy in the fact that He has made a place for you.
Jeff Justus
Cleff Publishing
www.cleffpublishing.com
©2008 Cleff Publishing, all rights reserved.
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