Working Together For God's Glory - 1 Corinthians 12:12-31

The human body is a fantastic creation. So complex. Myriad working parts must be in sync for the entire body to function. Each one has a special role and purpose.

What happens when one of the parts is injured? The body feels it and suffers pain. The functionality is altered to compensate.

How often is a member of the body of Christ hurting or struggling? What is the body’s reaction to that member in need or pain?


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1 Corinthians 12:12-31
¹² For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. ¹³ For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.

¹⁴ For the body does not consist of one member but of many. ¹⁵ If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. ¹⁶ And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. ¹⁷ If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? ¹⁸ But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. ¹⁹ If all were a single member, where would the body be? ²⁰ As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.

²¹ The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” ²² On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, ²³ and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, ²⁴ which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, ²⁵ that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. ²⁶ If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.

²⁷ Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. ²⁸ And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. ²⁹ Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? ³⁰ Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? ³¹ But earnestly desire the higher gifts.

And I will show you a still more excellent way.
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Everyone has a designated role that only God has provided. Within the body of Christ, we are all members and work collectively as the body. This is due to Jesus Christ and our baptism in the Holy Spirit. There is no distinction or separation anymore. We are all of equal value and worth, yet we are all so unique in the particular purpose that God has given us. 

Within the church, there is a pastor, there are elders, there are ministry leaders, there are those simply just willing to serve, and others simply feel called to receive and recharge from the Word of God. Everyone has a role and is of no lesser value than the other. We have one purpose, and that is to glorify God and ensure that His will be done on earth. We are not here to serve ourselves. The pastor is just one person, but the church is the collective body of Christ. 

As we recently experienced, our senior pastor was being called by God to a different ministry after establishing our church 20 years ago. But God’s will is an amazing thing. Our church did not suddenly cease when one man left. God allowed our church to continue functioning so that He would continue to be glorified. I am not saying that it was easy, but God moved throughout the hearts of the congregation, and the volunteer service of the members exponentially increased. People began recognizing needs and stepping in to serve, not for their glory but for the glory of God. God’s will is stronger than one man's. We are incredibly thankful for the work that our previous senior pastor put into this congregation, but we trust and have faith in God’s plan for our church. 

Therefore, we all collectively work to glorify God and spread His love to those around us. We should be encouraged that God will honor even those who feel they are a weaker member of the body. Everyone is important. You are essential within the body of Christ. Division and strife amongst members can hurt the body and hinder the growth of Christ’s church. We must always remain humble and remember that we are all of equal value and worth within the body of Christ. Encourage one another and help those who are struggling. 

Everyone has value, and everyone needs the love of Christ demonstrated to them.