March 27: Judges 1-3; 1Corinthians 12

Many parts/One body

Scripture: 1Corinthians (NIV) 12:19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

Observation: God designed the church to have many similarities to our physical bodies. In this chapter, Paul is referring to the church as a body. A body is a combining of different parts. A body in which every member was a right hand would not be much of a body. Some parts might be similar to each other like a right and left hand, or a right and left foot, yet they are important because of their differences. Some parts are so different like a shoulder and a kidney, or a lung and an ankle. Yet every part is important.

Application: How do these different parts form my body? First, they are connected and committed to express Leon’s life. Second, Leon’s blood carries Leon’s life to every member. Third, Leon’s nerves carry the direction from Leon’s head so that different members of Leon’s body move in coordinated action.

How do the different members in the body of Christ become one body? First, our commitment to God and to each other links us together. Second, His blood/His life is in each member. We have been born again! Third, like a great nervous system, the Holy Spirit directs each member. Though we are different, our coordinated efforts bring us joy and make God look good!

Prayer: Holy Spirit, coordinate my words and actions with the other members of the body of Christ. Coordinate our differences to be a benefit in accomplishing God’s plan. Amen