DAY 9 - READ 1 CORINTHIANS 12:4-31
Have you ever had an injury, a surgery, or even lost an important part of your body? Most people have experienced some sort of injury or pain that caused them to marvel at how important an organ, appendage, or joint is to a healthy, fully-functioning body. Even something as simple as losing a big toe can radically change a person’s life! Whether it be a loss of hearing, joint pain, diminished eyesight, a missing tooth, or even a splinter, the rest of our body suffers when one part is missing or not functioning properly.
The Bible goes to great lengths to describe how the church is a body. This body has many parts even though it is one body. Our passage makes several important points: We all belong to the body of Christ (vs. 14-17). God has arranged each part of the body just as He wants (vs. 18). We all need each other (vs. 19-21). There should be no division in the body regarding our roles (vs. 22-25). And finally, when one member of the body suffers, we all suffer. If one member rejoices, we should all rejoice (vs. 26).
Why is this concept of being the body of Christ, the Church, so important? Let’s explore this through the word synergy. Synergy is a word best understood when parsed. Ergo is Greek for work, while the prefix syn means together. When merged, the words mean “working together.” However, there is more. Synergy is better understood to mean that the result accomplished together is greater than the individual parts. Sports teams demonstrate the meaning of synergy. Playing together makes them better than competing individually. In contrast, one team member’s failure can cause everyone to lose. One musician not in concert with the orchestra can ruin the song. The most important piece of a jigsaw puzzle is the piece that is missing; every part is important in order to see the whole picture. The same is true of a body. A body can be greatly diminished, or even experience death, when one organ is not functioning properly or is missing!
What does this mean in the church? It means we each have a vital role to play. There are endless distractions that might keep us from ministering in the church or participating in a capital campaign. Whether it be the distractions of technology, the busyness of life, a lack of confidence, past experiences, conflicting priorities, the list could go on and on. Yet, without each member, we are not the body of Christ. Your participation in the mission of this church is unquestionably significant. Together we are the church, not individually. We cannot be the body of Christ if we are missing parts of the body! God has a role for you.
ACTION ITEM
Write down what part of the body you are in this church. How has God gifted you as an important part of this body? How does He want you to use your gifts?