Humble Service in the Body of Christ
We are parts of one body, the body of the LORD Jesus Christ. Though we are many, we are parts of just one body, the Church. We have various functions and gifts. We are to use our gifts to benefit the members of the Church.
Text: Romans 12:3-8 (NIV)
3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.
4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function,
5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith;
7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach;
8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
Insights:
Paul describes believers in Jesus—the body of Christ— we are many, yes, but we are many parts of just one body - the body of Christ - the Church (universal and local church). Paul urged the Romans to recognize how their individual giftings benefited the larger group. Just as our physical bodies are made up of many parts, each with different functions, together we “form one [spiritual] body” and our gifts are meant to be given in service for the collective benefit of the church (Romans 12:5). Whether in the form of giving, encouraging, or teaching, or any of the other spiritual gifts, Paul instructs us to view ourselves and our gifts as belonging to all the others (vv. 5–8).
Christians are expected to cheerfully give their “gifts” in service to the other, recognizing how much they’re both bettered by their collaboration. May we too freely combine the gifts God has given us with those of our fellow members—for the sake of Christ.
This is a beautiful confirmation to me that I should use my gifts and skills so that it will benefit the members of the universal church. One activity under the Grace Ministries and the local church is the conduct of the proposed BBC - Basic Bible Course - which is a five month study of the basic doctrines of Christianity, based on what the Bible teaches. This is to ground all teachers, elders and lay pastors of small, weaker churches about the basic orthodox doctrines of the Church. To avoid the emergence of heresies, and to correct some of the wrong notions and beliefs of such church leaders. It will help church leaders and church members to be discerning and help them fight against the attacks of false religions (Mormons, SDA, INC, RC, Dating Daan, Quiboloy, etc.). It will also strengthen the Bible teaching work in many of the smaller, weaker churches.
Feb 23, 2023
