Good morning,
Romans 12 challenges us to live for Christ. We must present our bodies as living sacrifices, no longer live for the world, remember that we are part of the body of believers, we have specific responsibilities as a believer, and ultimately how we treat unbelievers.
Christians are Members of the Same Body (12:3-8) Read 1Corinthians 12:12-31
3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness.
The body of Christ is a body. It has multiple parts that must work with other parts to make everything run smoothly. God has given each Christian a gift to encourage the body. These gifts are not intended for private use. They are intended to make the body work properly.
“For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.14 For the body is not one member, but many. (1 Corinthians 12:12-14)
“Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.7 So then neither is he that planteth anything, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.” (1 Corinthians 3:5-7)
We can not live for Christian life alone. We need others to be successful as we walk through life. Ministry for Christ is never done without support. It takes all the members working together for souls to be reached for Christ!
Will you do your part?
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001