May 22, 2018
1 Corinthians 12:12-20
In our spiritual lives as Christians, we are baptized into one Spirit, one faith, for one Lord. Through salvation, Jesus Christ has become the Head of our lives; he must be Lord. Therefore, everything that comes into our lives must bow to the will of Christ; otherwise, we may find ourselves fighting against the Lord.
God decides every person’s gifts and graces; He imparts gifts and we are given opportunities to use them. Agreement is essential for the Anointed One to shine. These gifts are not about talent per se; although they may be perceived as such. The gifts of the Spirit serve to build up the Body of Christ to spiritual maturity. In some form or fashion every person should be serving the Lord in their local spiritual family. Every gift is necessary; to withhold it or minimize it would be an act of fear or selfishness.
If you are reading this devotion today, I may not be aware of the gifts inside of you, but if you know Jesus then you most certainly have them. Identify them. Sometimes the best way to identify your gifts is by trying different things in ministry. The Body tends to affirm our gifts. When we release our spiritual gifts to help the Body, it is never about how it makes us feel it’s for the benefit of the whole. The purpose of using every person’s gift(s) is for the growth it brings the Body when we use it.
In our lesson today, the Apostle Paul continues to teach us about the unique work of the Holy Spirit and how the Body of Christ is set up for success if we allow the work of the Spirit to direct our lives and purpose.
1Corinthians 12:12-20 Our Body Is Like the Body of Christ
12 Our own body has many parts. When all these many parts are put together, they are only one body. The body of Christ is like this. 13 It is the same way with us. Jews or those who are not Jews, men who are owned by someone or men who are free to do what they want to do, have all been baptized into the one body by the same Holy Spirit. We have all received the one Spirit.
14 The body is not one part, but many parts. 15 If the foot should say, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that would not stop it from being a part of the body.
16 If the ear should say, “I am not a part of the body because I am not an eye,” that would not stop it from being a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye how would it hear? If the whole body were an ear, how would it smell? 18 But God has put all the parts into the body just as He wants to have them. 19 If all the parts were the same, it could not be a body. 20 But now there are many parts, but one body.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for calling me and imparting to me the gift of sharing your Word and encouraging faith. I pray it brings you glory, as well as blesses others by bringing spiritual growth and understanding. Thank you for the work of your Body that ministers to me all the time. In Jesus’ name. Amen.