1 Corinthians 12:12-21, 24-27

Spend time in prayer and silence with God, asking Him to meet with you and speak to you.

Bible Reading

The Body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though its parts are many, they form one Body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one Body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body.” It would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? But in fact, God has arranged the parts of the body, every one of them, just as He wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the Body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the Body of Christ, and each of you is a part of it.

– 1 Corinthians 12:12-21, 24-27

Devotion

In chapters twelve through fourteen, Paul addresses the issue of spiritual gifts. The Corinthians were debating the value and exercise of different spiritual gifts. They had allowed the sin of spiritual pride to upset the unity of the church (the Body of Christ). Paul makes the point that the Spirit of God which distributes the spiritual gifts is perfectly united with the Father and the Son. He points out that the Body of Christ (the church) is like the human body. It is one Body made up of many different parts. Each part has its unique purpose and contributes to the overall function of the body. In the same way, the Body of Christ is made up of many different kinds of people (diversity) but each person plays an integral part in the overall health of the Body. Just as with the human body, each part of the Body of Christ is fully reliant on the other parts for the body to function effectively. How does diversity and unity coexist in the Church? Paul addresses this in chapter thirteen. Love is the key! Diversity and unity can only exist together when there is love (value) between the different parts of the Body. This whole concept is unique to the Body of Christ and in many ways is counter-cultural today.

The Big Question

Have you ever been guilty of spiritual pride? Do you daily practice the second part of the Great Commandment given by Jesus, “love (value) your neighbor as yourself?” Do you know your role in the Body of Christ? Do you know how God has uniquely shaped you to contribute to the mission of the church today?

Conclude your time in prayer and silence, reflecting on what God revealed to you today.