Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Called to be sent
1
Corinthians 12:27-31
Daisy John
Epiphany MTC, NY
27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members
of it. 28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second
prophets, third teachers; then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of
assistance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues
We live in a society where we are always
watching. We stay home and watch the world events on the television.
We go outside to watch people play games or listen to others make music
etc. We have no involvement, commitment or responsibility. Church too has
fallen in this category where the congregation sit back and watch others do the
work. We complain that we do not have special gifts from God to be a part
of the church. While few others will seek for spiritual gifts for self glorification
and ego manifestations.
In Corinthians 12, we read of the Corinthian Church who were also seeking showy spiritual gifts and thus becoming carnal. The people who had the gift of tongues or preaching were misusing their spiritual gifts. They were proud, selfish and worldly. Those who didn’t have the public gifts were seeking these gifts, instead of functioning in harmony as a body. Apostle Paul is instructing them to portray the proper image of Christ to the world by using the gifts that God has given to them. He is teaching them to be content in the way God has designed them as all parts of a body are necessary for the whole body to function properly.
Tragically, we too have the same attitude like the people of Corinthian Church. We say to ourselves that it doesn’t matter as we are not that important. We don’t have any special spiritual talent to give to the church. We forget that God never intended all of us to have the same gifts but He mixes us with the right people to use our gift for His glory. If we never use our God given gifts, then as Paul points out we will be crippling the body of Christ. We are commanded by Christ and it’s our duty to use every opportunity to manifest our talents to portray His likeness.
God is calling us to a task which is very vital for building the image of Christ. If we have a gift of teaching we could use it to teach needy kids in our neighborhood. If we have a gift of speaking we could use it to pray and converse with lonely people. If we have a gift of giving we could be merciful and help the needy. We should be able to define our gifts with prayers and go about ministering in the area God has given to us.
In Corinthians 12, we read of the Corinthian Church who were also seeking showy spiritual gifts and thus becoming carnal. The people who had the gift of tongues or preaching were misusing their spiritual gifts. They were proud, selfish and worldly. Those who didn’t have the public gifts were seeking these gifts, instead of functioning in harmony as a body. Apostle Paul is instructing them to portray the proper image of Christ to the world by using the gifts that God has given to them. He is teaching them to be content in the way God has designed them as all parts of a body are necessary for the whole body to function properly.
Tragically, we too have the same attitude like the people of Corinthian Church. We say to ourselves that it doesn’t matter as we are not that important. We don’t have any special spiritual talent to give to the church. We forget that God never intended all of us to have the same gifts but He mixes us with the right people to use our gift for His glory. If we never use our God given gifts, then as Paul points out we will be crippling the body of Christ. We are commanded by Christ and it’s our duty to use every opportunity to manifest our talents to portray His likeness.
God is calling us to a task which is very vital for building the image of Christ. If we have a gift of teaching we could use it to teach needy kids in our neighborhood. If we have a gift of speaking we could use it to pray and converse with lonely people. If we have a gift of giving we could be merciful and help the needy. We should be able to define our gifts with prayers and go about ministering in the area God has given to us.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, fill us with the desire to represent You
at all times. Lord, help us to become channels of Your church and remind us
always that we are called to be sent to touch the lives of other people.
Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Every Christian is unique to build the image of
Christ to the world.