Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
October 23, 2022
Read 1 Corinthians 12:12-26
12 Christ is just like the human body—a body is a unit and has many parts; and all the parts of the body are one body, even though there are many. 13 We were all baptized by one Spirit into one body, whether Jew or Greek, or slave or free, and we all were given one Spirit to drink. 14 Certainly the body isn’t one part but many. 15 If the foot says, “I’m not part of the body because I’m not a hand,” does that mean it’s not part of the body? 16 If the ear says, “I’m not part of the body because I’m not an eye,” does that mean it’s not part of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, what would happen to the hearing? And if the whole body were an ear, what would happen to the sense of smell? 18 But as it is, God has placed each one of the parts in the body just like he wanted. 19 If all were one and the same body part, what would happen to the body? 20 But as it is, there are many parts but one body. 21 So the eye can’t say to the hand, “I don’t need you,” or in turn, the head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.” 22 Instead, the parts of the body that people think are the weakest are the most necessary. 23 The parts of the body that we think are less honorable are the ones we honor the most. The private parts of our body that aren’t presentable are the ones that are given the most dignity. 24 The parts of our body that are presentable don’t need this. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the part with less honor 25 so that there won’t be division in the body and so the parts might have mutual concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if one part gets the glory, all the parts celebrate with it.
Good Morning, We are one body in Christ!
Today is a great day to spend time together with Christ. I look forward to Sunday mornings because this is the day and time we set aside to come and celebrate our Lord as one body. Each member of the body is important with none being insignificant.
As we age, it is not uncommon for us to wonder if we are still vital members of the group. After all, we might not be able to do the same things that we once did. Perhaps, it is no longer practical to be the one to perform routine maintenance in the building, but the wisdom that you have gleaned from years of service is essential.
Paul reminds us that we are to have mutual concern for one another as Christ taught us to love our neighbors as ourselves. When one of our members suffers, we suffer with them. Likewise, when one of our members receives glory, then we all celebrate. You know the old cliché, we are only as strong as our weakest link. All parts of the one body are needed to accomplish our command to go and make disciples of the world.
When we expand this thought to the true meaning of one body, we include all believers from around the world. Within the body, there is much diversity in race, culture, gender, size, and shape. No one is more important than any other. We must never lose sight of the understanding that God sent Christ to rescue us and find the least of those among us. When the one is found, everyone rejoices. Embrace being within the one body of Christ!
Gracious God, Thank You for loving us. Sometimes we forget to celebrate the diversity that exists within the one body of Christ. Help us to uphold our brothers and sisters in Christ as we work together in Your name. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: Though I am only one member, I belong to the body of Christ.
Many faces, One body! Pastor Liz
Comments