January 2, 2023
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in selections from 1 Corinthians? Here’s today’s reading:
1 Corinthians 12 (NIV)
Concerning Spiritual Gifts
1 Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3 Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit...........Continue Reading
1 Corinthians
“Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.”
1 Corinthians 12:12 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/1co.12.12.NIV
It’s so beautiful how God arranged the spiritual body to reflect the physical body. Each person has gifts that serve the body as a whole.
I read the first part of Corinthians chapter 11. Out loud and told Cindy to pay attention. Never knew she could throw a plate like a frisbee. The lords supper to be taken seriously Do this in remembrance of me! That should make everyone focus. If we did that every day like some it would become a ritual. Once a month is perfect. It is special. Spiritual gifts. Unfortunately I’ve witness this same divisive attitude. When someone believes their spiritual gifts are greater It becomes spiritual power which causes rivalries. No place for that in a Church. Whatever your gifts are. Use them each one of us will be held accountable not on our position but if we used our gifts here on earth to the glory of God. Love the way Paul explains using the body parts. Is one more important than the other?
1st Corinthians 12 – we are all given Spiritual gifts and they should be used to build up the body of Christ. The church is the body of Christ, and as followers we all have an important role in the church. Paul talks about many different parts of the body and how it should work together.
1 Corinthians 12
I am amazed at the human body and how we can heal ourselves, how we can adapt to our environment, and just how perfectly made it is. Certainly it is subject to abuse, neglect, and decay but when well cared for our body can protect us from illness, carry us where we need to go, and help us accomplish things from miniscule to great tasks.
A perfect picture of the body of Christ, when working together and taking care of each part what great things could be accomplished! Each part with their own unique job to do and strength it possess. And like our physical body even the smallest and seemingly insignificant parts play a huge role in the overall health and wellness of the whole. Such a great image!
1 Corinthians 12
How amazing is our God that He has seen fit to give us spiritual capacity in a certain area that allows us to help people in a supernatural way. And Paul’s analogy of the body here shows us that there is no room for pride or insecurity over what gift we have. As every part of our bodies has a part to play and all are interdependent, none can be replaced by another. It should call all of us to discover what this special gift is and how the church would be benefitted by how God has equipped us. I mean who doesn’t seek to discover and unwrap a gift that has been given? Although the difference in these gifts is that they are for the greater good…so maybe that means a little less excitement…. And that too is just like our God. Incredible spiritual capacity clothed in an attitude of humility because it is for other people.
The body is the perfect analogy of how the “body” of Christ, the church works…or should work.
When I ran VBS the gifts of the body really became practically apparent to me. Having the gift of administration and teaching, I had no interest in snacks or decorations or music or crafts, my primary goal was to find a program that highlighted the gospel. I was SO thankful, impressed, glad, when so many people came to me and said, “I would love to build a set for skits.” “I will plan all the snacks.” “I have crafts for each day.” and even people offering to just give $ to contribute to the expense of the program. I really saw the body of LHCC at work, and parts that I don’t usually notice were suddenly very important.
The Holy Spirit is the giver of amazing gifts that allow us to have supernatural abilities. It is fitting to ask God to help us discover what these gifts are and to put them to practice for the good of others. Not doing so would be missing opportunities to glorify God, bless others, and build up the church body.
I like how it ends with But eagerly desire the greater gifts. How important it is for us to all do our part in the body of Christ. Not a competition. No matter what part we play if its small or big in our eyes the body will not work as planned successfully since all parts are needed.