DIVERSITY

DIVERSITY!

1 Cor 12:4-7

4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.

6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.

7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

           The fall decorations will often include Indian corn. This is the corn that is not all yellow and uniform but speckled with brown and even black kernels. This reminds me of my wonderful church family and how different one member is from another. They differ not only in color and kind but in their various talents and gifts. It’s amazing when we work together!

The various gifts are named in 1 Cor 12:8-10 and 28, and also in Eph 4:11 and Rom 12:6-8. When you combine the lists, you end up with nineteen different gifts and offices. Since the listing in Romans is not identical with the listing in 1 Corinthians, we may assume that Paul was not attempting to exhaust the subject in either passage. While the gifts named are adequate for the ministry of the church, God is not limited to these lists. He may give other gifts as He pleases. We should not be so fascinated by the individual gifts that we forget the main reason why Paul listed them: to remind us that they unite us in our ministries to the one body. (Warren Wiersbe)

           Seek to learn and apply your own gifts and talents. Find your place in the body and be content with it. Don’t be envious of another’s abilities but strive to fully develop your own so that the church might be built up.

1 Cor 12:27

27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

Dear Lord, help me to find my place in the body and fill it well that the church may be strong. AMEN