Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the higher gifts.
1 Corinthians 12:27-31
We are all members of the body of Christ, meaning his church, but if we fight amongst ourselves then how is Christ’s church going to stand? If Christ wants unity in the Word and in God, why are there so many denominations in Christianity?
We all have different gifts and roles in the church just as we do at home or at our jobs. Do you envy your boss or coworker? Do you fight with your family about what they do or not do? God has made us as one so we can care for one another.
that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.
1 Corinthians 12:25-26
Just like how if one part of our physical bodies hurt, other parts may hurt as well (radiating pain), if one of the members is suffering then the whole congregation suffers. We bear each other’s burdens and work to help one another. Also once we heal that painful spot in our physical bodies, the entire body feels well. If one member is happy or rejoices over something good, the the rest of the congregation should do likewise.
I hope and pray we can think about these words today as we grow in our faith and understanding of the Bible. While the church is divided now, it won’t be forever. We will have unity once again through the Word.
walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Ephesians 4:1-5
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
Ephesians 4:11-16
Peace
Hope and Peace for God 