Good morning. What is the single most important part in an automobile? Don’t say “the engine” because engines are made up of hundreds of parts. The steering wheel? Well, I think we’d all have to admit that those are very important, but what about the driver’s seat, or a brake line, or fuel line? The truth of the matter is that there are hundreds, if not thousands of parts in a car that are vital to its operation, and many of those are unseen and typically not even considered. What part is most important? It isn’t a reasonable question when virtually every part is required, or it wouldn’t have been included!
With that in mind, please consider what we read in 1 Corinthians chapter 12. This chapter tells us about the spiritual gifts poured out upon God’s people by the will of the Holy Spirit.
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 1 Corinthians 12:4-7
Within the Body of Christ, His church, there are many parts required to allow full and effective function. Which one is most important? It isn’t a reasonable question since all are included for important reasons. We read on in 1 Corinthians 12:12-14
For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. For the body does not consist of one member but of many.
From there the chapter goes on to explain that every part has purpose, and no single part is more important than any other. I find it especially interesting to read verses 25-26 where we are told: that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.
You have a great purpose within the Body of Christ. You may not give it much thought, and you may even wish that your function was more like that of another person, but all of that is determined by the Spirit of God and we are to do our part and respect every person for doing theirs.
Within the Body of Christ, it is all about diversity as God determines the need!
Vern