You Are The Body of Christ

For reflection this morning, I am looking at some famous verses from Paul's letter to the church in Corinth.  Thank God they needed help, for Paul's first letter is such a wonderful guide, even framework for the Body of Christ.  Here are the verses I am looking at - 1 Corinthians 12:7-14,27-30 NIV:

[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."  (At this point he writes about Love...)

My reflection this morning is really more of a highlighting the key things that are resonating with me.

#1 - I am part of the Body of Christ (verse 27)

#2 - Whatever manifestation of the Spirit or gift I have been given is for the common good - the good of everyone, including me (verse 7)

#3 - We are all supposed to be connected and working in unison as members of the ONE Body of Christ (verse 13)

#4 - The Holy Spirit is the source of all that is needed, as He determines (verse 11)

#5 - God wants us to eagerly desire the greater gifts (verse 31) 

We are all critical to the Body of Christ.  If your physical Body is missing a part, or parts, it is limited in some way, unless its the appendix - :-)  We need to understand our significance!  This is not the church of the professional ministers, and the audience!  This is supposed to be the Church of every person connected and important and flowing in the manifestation of the Spirit for the good of everyone else!  This is not a Body where we can just drift along to the sweet by and by, we are meant to be active participants, desiring growth and health for the overall Body.

That being said, we all have different roles, different responsibilities, different callings, and even gifts.  They are given as the Holy Spirit determines, and His determination should be held as the highest directive.  In other words, who are we to only acknowledge only certain people's giftings or callings, when Holy Spirit has determined for the sake of the whole Body of Christ to distribute His manifestations to many if not all?! 

As a Body/Church we should be eagerly desiring for the great gifts to be evident, to be nurtured, to be encouraged!  We should not be afraid of Holy Spirit's manifestations, determinations and gifts, as they are critical to the healthy operation and growth of the overall Body of Christ!  If you are a teacher, you should eagerly desire God to raise up Apostles and prophets, etc. If you are a pastor, you need all of the above! If you are a member of any Church, you need all of the above, plus need to be praying that the Lord calls you to one of these! :-)

Lastly, none of this is about position, hierarchy, or power, or any specific denomination or congregation, it is about healthy balanced living and growth for the overall Body of Christ.  Do we need strong leaders, sure!  Will the Lord bring organization?  Sure He will!  Will there be some that are more visible than others?  Absolutely!  This is for Holy Spirit to drive and determine and we must humbly submit to His better ways and ideas.  We can think we understand what He is saying, and even take these words and apply them to our life, and keep the bit we like and agree with, and let the other parts lanquish or even be ignored, but Holy Spirit will make His way and will known.  I am confident that He will do everything well, and will not fail, even if He has to use sinful and weak individuals like me!  He actually doesn't have a choice, that's all that are available!  :-)

This morning, I am just encouraged that Holy Spirit really does have all this under control, and that being a part of the Body of Christ is much more than I have experienced so far!  I am convinced that we will see radical changes to our perspectives in the coming days and years!  I believe that the Lord is going to help us break out of our present limited view, and open our eyes to His worldwide, connected and powerful Body of Christ, and we will come to understand our critical part to play!