The Common Good

Job 37-38; 1 Corinthians 12 

“Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good…But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that it’s parts should have equal concern for each other…Now you are the body of Christ…”

1 Corinthians 12:7, 24, 25, 27

The unity of the Body of Christ is a higher priority than the fullest utilization of the parts/gifts of the Body. This simple message is repeated by Paul in many different ways in his letter to the Church in Corinth. 

If Paul were to address the thousands of denominations around the world today, what would he say?

Our unique gifts, revelations, and theological reforms have resulted in so many expressions of the Body of Christ that we’ve lost the central plot. We are one Body, and our unity, love, and concern for one another is our strongest witness to the world of the gospel’s power to transform lives.

How can our part of the body serve the health and effectiveness of the whole?

“Lord Jesus, fill me with your love for your Body and humility, for your glory.”