The Body of Christ: The Church

     Can the arms on a body move without the help of joints and cartilage? Is anyone able to see without the eye or speak without the vocal cord? Ok, I know that some of you are thinking about medical improvements that this world has embraced. Even then, the original setup of the human body and its functions helped the doctors to see how artificial body parts should work. In the same manner, the body of Christ is made up of various parts (i.e. people and gifts) that uplift His kingdom. We all have a purpose as children of God to operate in what God has divinely placed upon us.

     Each person has a supernatural gift from God - the thing in which His anointing flows through and changes lives. Our recognition of these gifts is only found through seeking God for our purpose in life. For example, God has anointed me to minister through songs, and to encourage people who are going through spiritual storms. Another person is anointed to teach and break down the Word of God (the Bible) to others so that they may have a greater understanding of what is being read. Simply stated: everyone has a purpose in which he or she should walk in daily. Not all of us will do the same thing and that is perfectly fine. With the Spirit of God as the Head of our gifts, it will all tie in perfectly. In I Corinthians 12:4-11 [HCSB], we are reminded of this very truth.

"Now there are different gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different ministries, but the same Lord. And there are different activities, but the same God activates each gift in each person. A demonstration of the Spirit is given to each person to produce what is beneficial:

to one is given a message of wisdom through the Spirit,

to another, a message of knowledge by the same Spirit,

to another, faith by the same Spirit,

to another, gifts of healing by the one Spirit,

to another, the performing of miracles,

to another, prophecy,

to another, distinguishing between spirits,

to another, different kinds of languages,

to another, interpretation of languages.

But one and the same Spirit is active in all these, distributing to each person as He wills."

     There are people whom get caught up in believing that just because they carry a certain position, this should allow them to take on the role as a prophet, a teacher, or someone who can interpret tongues. Let me be more clear: if I were a lieutenant general in the Air Force, I am automatically fit to be as effective as a high school teacher, a pastor of a congregation, or a financial broker. I can do and get whatever I want because I rank very high. (???) Do you see how that does not make sense? When God anoints a person to do a thing on this earth, that person is able to do it with more grace and style than another who is not anointed to do so. Also, the results are greater when you have been anointed to operate in a specific area. Never get caught up in the game of believing that you can do something just as well as another person when God has not called you to operate in what is contrary to His will for you. You will become frustrated and burned out if you do so.

     God's gifts to us are not for personal gain; they are given to show others to Christ and edify the body of Christ, which is His church. In I Corinthians 12:21-26, the Bible states that we are not to act as if we do not all have a greater purpose, or as if we do not need each other. If one suffers, we all suffer along with him or her. If one rejoices, we all rejoice as well. We are all needed and should seek God on what He wants us to do with our gifts. If you are not sure of your gift(s), continue to ask God to reveal this to you.

Scriptures:

• I Corinthians 12: all verses