Devotionals for December 15, 2022
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READ
1 CORINTHIANS 12:12-26
For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. For the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell?
But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, which our more presentable parts do not require.
But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, 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.
For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. For the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell?
But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, which our more presentable parts do not require.
But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, 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.
REFLECT
Paul emphasizes the variety Christians within the church and how each one is valuable in their own way. While most people tend to gravitate towards a homogenous clique, Christians are called to serve those with a variety of backgrounds and gifts from God. While some enjoy others’ sufferings, Christians are to care and empathize with those suffering. Rather than feeling burned when someone succeeds, Christians are called to rejoice with those who rejoice. The type of unity we’re called to is active, humble, and Christ-like in love.
APPLY
Q: What role does God play in the unity of the body of Christ?
Q: What role do you play in the unity of the body of Christ?
Q: How would a diversified, unified church change the world?
Q: What role do you play in the unity of the body of Christ?
Q: How would a diversified, unified church change the world?
SING
PRAY
"Forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us."
Father, forgive us for putting ourselves first when we should put others first like your Son did. Show me who I can love and serve more in your church. Help me to embrace the diversity of people and gifts around me. Amen.
Father, forgive us for putting ourselves first when we should put others first like your Son did. Show me who I can love and serve more in your church. Help me to embrace the diversity of people and gifts around me. Amen.