In Christ, all are equal

READ: Isaiah 9,10; Psalms 67; 1 Corinthians 12

SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 12: 21 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!”
22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable,
23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty,
24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it,
25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.

OBSERVATION: In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul responds to the Corinth church believers’ question concerning spiritual gifts.   Paul tells something important and applicable even to the present-day churches. We see Christians everywhere argue against one another concerning questions like who is superior and who is inferior, who is strong and who is weak, who is useful and who is worthless. In most places, we see and appreciate only the forefront workers; those who work on the backdrop often go unnoticed. For example, those who clean the church never get the same attention as a worship leader or musician. Concerning spiritual gifts, Paul says that the gift of the Holy Spirit is given to all believers. However, we should know that there are different kinds of gifts. We should not expect and compel everyone to have the same gift. It is the Holy Spirit who determines concerning the gift a believer should/would receive.  We all are members of the body of Christ. So, each of us has a role or work in the church.  We cannot/should not say to anyone that “I don’t need you.” Paul says weaker parts are indispensable in the body of Christ. Then Paul urges the Corinth believers to give “special honor,” and “special modesty” to those who are weak. Paul suggests that the Corinth believers give honor and pay special attention to those who need the care and concerns of others. They should not be neglected at any cost.

While explaining the equality and importance of all parts of one body, Paul reminds the believers about the interdependence of each body part and their interconnectedness. No Christian could function alone. We may not realize the contribution of a body part to our well-being until it ceases to work. It is our responsibility to give the utmost care to every person in the Church. Every Christian and their service to the Church is vital. In God’s family, Church the body of Christ, there should be no discrimination, inequalities, and divisions. A True Christian living is in partaking in the joy and suffering of other Christians.

APPLICATION: The gift of the Holy Spirit is given to me for the common good. I should not boast about my spiritual gift and should never consider myself superior to others. I should use my spiritual for the good of others, not to gratify my desire and pride. Instead of humiliating Christians who consider themselves weak and worthless, I will/should give them special honor and special treatment to make sure that they are essential to the body of Christ just like others.

PRAYER: Father God, thank you for the spiritual gift that you have given to me. Jesus, help me to use the gift of the Holy Spirit to testify about your greatness and to help and honor others in Christ. Amen.

- Arputharaj Samuel
+91 9538328573

Day - 249