I have something on my heart today that did not come from the Bible Reading Plan or any of the great devotional resources we have to use! I want to share a few portions of Scripture before I share it. Romans 12:4-10:
4 For as in one physical body we have many parts (organs, members) and all of these parts do not have the same function or use, 5 So we, numerous as we are, are one body in Christ (the Messiah) and individually we are parts one of another [mutually dependent on one another]. 6 Having gifts (faculties, talents, qualities) that differ according to the grace given us, let us use them: [He whose gift is] prophecy, [let him prophesy] according to the proportion of his faith; 7 [He whose gift is] practical service, let him give himself to serving; he who teaches, to his teaching; 8 He who exhorts (encourages), to his exhortation; he who contributes, let him do it in simplicity and liberality; he who gives aid and superintends, with zeal and singleness of mind; he who does acts of mercy, with genuine cheerfulness and joyful eagerness. 9 [Let your] love be sincere (a real thing); hate what is evil [loathe all ungodliness, turn in horror from wickedness], but hold fast to that which is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection [as members of one family], giving precedence and showing honor to one another. AMP
Notice that there are SUPPOSED to be differences in this Body! We are ALL called, BUT we are all equipped and anointed to be in different areas, doing different things! Some may not like this but the Sovereign GOD set it up this way! AMEN! Now Ephesians 4:14-16:
14 So then, we may no longer be children, tossed [like ships] to and fro between chance gusts of teaching and wavering with every changing wind of doctrine, [the prey of] the cunning and cleverness of unscrupulous men, [gamblers engaged] in every shifting form of trickery in inventing errors to mislead. 15 Rather, let our lives lovingly express truth [in all things, speaking truly, dealing truly, living truly]. Enfolded in love, let us grow up in every way and in all things into Him Who is the Head, [even] Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). 16 For because of Him the whole body (the church, in all its various parts), closely joined and firmly knit together by the joints and ligaments with which it is supplied, when each part [with power adapted to its need] is working properly [in all its functions], grows to full maturity, building itself up in love. AMP
The whole Body, with all of our DIFFERENCES, is joined as one by HIM! AMEN! Now I COULD share ALL of 1 Corinthians 12, but we will only look at verses 25-27 today:
25 So that there should be no division or discord or lack of adaptation [of the parts of the body to each other], but the members all alike should have a mutual interest in and care for one another. 26 And if one member suffers, all the parts [share] the suffering; if one member is honored, all the members [share in] the enjoyment of it. 27 Now you [collectively] are Christ's body and [individually] you are members of it, each part severally and distinct [each with his own place and function]AMP
What has been on my heart so powerfully today is the injustice done to the Body of Christ by those who are sold out to THEIR calling, which is a GOOD thing, but try to CALL everyone else to this same calling! That is most certainly NOT of God! We each, individually, must make a commitment to the calling of God on our own life! Sell out 100% or you will never walk in peace, joy and true contentment in this life! Do NOT be pressured into something that God hasn't already revealed to your own heart! Remember, HE said, in John 10:27,
27 The sheep that are My own hear and are listening to My voice; and I know them, and they follow Me. AMP
Allow HIM to call each one as HE chooses! AMEN! In the meantime, worship HIM with this song of commitment! Hillsong with Hosanna:
Shalom in Him!
