A Balanced and Healthy Body

This morning I felt like reading from  1 Corinthians 12:4-14, 27-31 NIV:

[4] "There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. [5] There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. [6] There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work."

[7] "Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. [8] To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, [9] to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, [10] to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. [11] All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines."

[12] "Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. [13] For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body---whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free---and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. [14] Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many."

[27] "Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. [28] And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. [29] Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? [30] Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues ? Do all interpret? [31] Now eagerly desire the greater gifts."

"And yet I will show you the most excellent way."

I think one of the most significant statements Paul makes is that these gifts are for the common good (verse 7). In other words, the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the roles, ministries, works and responsibilities are all for our benefit, the common good of all the Body of Christ.  If any are not being allowed to exercise, then we are missing out on what has been released for our good.

Thinking of the Body of Christ, like a human body, if we only exercise one part of the body, say the bicep on the right arm, then the rest of the body, although partially helped by the increased blood flow from exercise, will not grow into a healthy balanced body.  In fact, if one part is exercised to the exclusion of other parts, it is possible to injure the body, as the strong part can overpower that which is not strong, and actually damage the balancing muscle.

The Lord, in His wisdom, made the body to work together, to be fully functional and balanced.  The exclusion of any part, causes the body to be crippled in some way. In the same way, Paul writes that the Body of Christ should be well balanced and unified.  The gifts should work together, and none at the expense of the others.  All the gifts and ministries are needed and required for a balanced and healthy Body, and this is for our common good.

Finally, Paul closes his thinking with the statement that there is a most excellent way, which leads to his comments about Love in the next chapter.  His commentary about the gifts and such, should always be understood as being rooted in, and requiring connection to love.  This is the most excellent way; operating in love; rooted in love; being filled with love.  If love is not our primary motivation then we are missing God's purpose and missing Him, for He is Love (1 John 4:8).

So today, let us pray for a full release of all the Gifts and Ministries of the Holy Spirit.  Let us pray for unity in the Body of Christ. Finally, let us pray for the body of Christ to fully embrace love as our primary motivation for all things.