I love the way that 1 Corinthians 12 address the Body of Christ! Verses 12-14:
12 For just as the body is a unity and yet has many parts, and all the parts, though many, form [only] one body, so it is with Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). 13 For by [means of the personal agency of] one [Holy] Spirit we were all, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free, baptized [and by baptism united together] into one body, and all made to drink of one [Holy] Spirit. 14 For the body does not consist of one limb or organ but of many.
So many times over the years I have heard teachings that made it sound like every believer should be doing the same things and anyone who did differently was frowned upon, maligned or simply ignored. The TRUTH, though, is that not one of us has all the answers! 1 Corinthians 13:9 tells us that NOW we only know in part! The Amplified Bible says this in verses 9-10:
9 For our knowledge is fragmentary (incomplete and imperfect), and our prophecy (our teaching) is fragmentary (incomplete and imperfect). 10 But when the complete and perfect (total) comes, the incomplete and imperfect will vanish away (become antiquated, void, and superseded).
We each only see part of the whole picture, and the part that we see is the part that we are responsible for! Some missionaries I know are so focused on what God has called THEM to do that they sometimes THINK that they are the only ones out there! That is NOT so, but that single-minded vision gives THEM the focus that they need to stay on course! Every born again believer has been called to the full time ministry of Reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18-19), and carries it out uniquely and individually! When every member does there own part, the job gets done! This is the job of reaching the lost with the glorious Gospel of JESUS CHRIST! When you are tempted to look around and see what other believers are doing in comparison to yourself, remember these two portions of Scripture and the exhortation in them! 2 Corinthians 2:10 and John 21:22:
10 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
22 Jesus said to him, If I want him to stay (survive, live) until I come, what is that to you? [What concern is it of yours?] You follow Me!
AMEN! Let's concentrate, in these last moments of the last days, on reaching for OUR prize that comes with completing OUR race well! Here is Hillsong Live with "Running":
Shalom in Him!
