Care for the community
Wednesday, March 31st, 20041 Corinthians 12:12-31
The Church is a community, we’re lots of different people all brought together by a common salvation. Every community has rules. In the online world ALL CAPS is considered to be the same as shouting, it’s part of the ‘netiquette’ that has already evolved to regulate the online community.
In that sense the Church is no different. We need to know how to live right in the Church community. Here are some ground rules:
We’re all equal
We are equal in status because we all belong to the same body, the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:13). Whatever we were before is now irrelevant within the Church.
We are of equal value
We cannot look down our noses at other Christians and value them less than ourselves (1 Cor. 12:15-17). There is no person in the body of Christ that is undervalued by God, so why do we?
We are equally needed
We’re not only valued, but needed. Each one of us is given a role to play in the Church. It is God who gives the role, and no-one else can take it away from us. If we do not play our part, it will not be done! (1 Cor. 12:21-22)
We have one purpose
We all have a gift for the common goal of edifying (building up). Ephesians 4:11-16 explains that pastors and teachers are there to help others to help others! All have a gift, all must exercise that gift for the common good.
To fail to contribute is to fail not just yourself, but the whole body of which you are a part. Equally, to dominate Church life to the extent that others lose out means that you yourself will lose out too.
Care for the Church community must mean equality of service, each giving, each receiving, the whole growing for God’s glory and our blessing!
