"There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work."
(I Corinthians 12:4-6)
Our text for today is preamble to a wonderfully powerful teaching from the word of God that reminds us that the Body of Christ is made up of believers whose gifts may differ, but whose identity in Christ is shared equally. Paul likens this diversity in unity to the different parts of the body, that though many, still make up one body. It is a beautiful analogy of the church...the body of Christ. Though different, though gifted uniquely, we are united through faith in the living Christ who calls us to be one. This speaks not of conformity, but transformation.
In a Peanuts cartoon Lucy demands that Linus change TV channels, threatening him with her fist if he doesn't. "What makes you think you can walk right in here and take over?" asks Linus.
"These five fingers," says Lucy. "Individually they're nothing but when I curl them together like this into a single unit, they form a weapon that is terrible to behold." "Which channel do you want?" asks Linus. Turning away, he looks at his fingers and says, "Why can't you guys get organized like that?"
The intimidation Lucy wields is not the goal of the body of Christ, but the recognition that the individual parts becoming one, like the fingers of a hand drawn together for a purpose, is powerful indeed. In the closing words of this chapter, Paul sums this lesson up as he says, "Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it." That is my story...your story...our story.
Prayer: You have gifted us uniquely O Lord. Unite us on our journey to the cross, that we may be one, made new in Jesus Christ. Amen.
Jim Abernathy
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