Verse of the Day 8-10-22

so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 1 Corinthians 12:25-27

Spiritual gifts should not be the basis for honoring a person or considering one Christian as more important than another (vv. 22-24). Neither should individual Christians themselves feel inferior (vv. 14-20) or superior (vv. 21-26) based on what they believe is the importance of their gifts and place of service in the church. And from these three verses we can draw two conclusions about spiritual gifts.

1. Each person has a place in Christ’s body according to God’s perfect plans and purposes (v. 18), and all members are very important for the spiritual well-being and proper and functioning of the entire church body. In fact, people with more practical abilities are to be given special respect (v. 23), while those with more noticeable gifts do not necessarily need added recognition (v. 24).
2. Spiritual gifts must never be used in pride or for personal recognition, but with the heartfelt desire to benefit others and with a heart that genuinely cares for each other. The gifts are not given simply for the benefit of you, but also for the good of the whole church. In this way, Christ’s followers have a relationship of interdependence as each part of the body fulfills its distinctive function.

Today’s Bible Readings:

Ezra 10, 1 Corinthians 6, Psalm 31:9-18 and Proverbs 21:3