Living His Word

1 Corinthians 12:27 ERV: All of you together are the body of Christ. Each one of you is a part of that body.

Individual Christians are members of the church of Jesus Christ and the Apostle Paul likens the church to a body – the body of Christ. Jesus is the head of the body and the rest of us comprise the many parts of the body. Thus, there is one body, one head of the body, and many parts or members of the body.

As parts of the body, each one of us has a role to play. Although individual Christians may struggle at times discerning what that is, there is no one in the body without a role. Indeed, you wouldn’t be a part of the body if you didn’t have a necessary role. Each part has been gifted by the one Spirit with an individual role to play that will benefit the rest of the body. Our roles may change as we mature in the faith, but we always have at least one role. Most may have a number of roles.

Given that there are many different parts of the body and that each part has its own unique role to play, it follows that one person’s role is not another person’s role. We should not make any futile attempts to be like another person. The Spirit has given each person the necessary gifts for their own role and if a person moves outside of that calling they will be functioning outside the leading and empowerment of the Spirit. To be envious of, jealous, or covetous of another person’s role has no place in the body of Christ.

If a person is having trouble identifying their role, then one good way to resolve the issue is to determine what is actually ministering to other members. If what we are doing is a struggle for us and is not ministering to others, then there is a good chance we have moved outside the call and gifting of the Holy Spirit. Or, if what we are doing is easy for us and ministers to others, then there is a good chance we are moving within the call and gifting of the Holy Spirit – despite whatever doubts we may have about it.

Today, be at peace about your place in the body, for you have a unique role to play that is necessary for the good of the whole.