We have spent a lot of time recently talking about things that pertain to the body, the Church, and her functions but there is merit in addressing the members of that body individually.

A particular stumbling block we sometimes encounter as individuals is a carryover from our Earthly lives and reflects that way of thinking.

Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the higher gifts.
And I will show you a still more excellent way.
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.

1 Corinthians 12:27-13:3

There is a tendency to compare one’s own position with those around us, in a way that goes beyond just awareness of needs and opportunities. We want to move up. Wishing to take on roles that are more honorable, for example, can actually lead to you missing an opportunity to do good in secret.

We can’t all be preachers, nor should we want to be. But you can answer honestly when someone asks you a question about your faith. We can’t all be missionaries, spending time learning new languages and cultures to share Jesus with them. But you can talk to people whose lives you understand, often when a preacher could not. We can’t all run food banks. But you can take a hot lunch to a neighbor once in a while.

Do you want to move up in the church? There is only one true method.

But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Matthew 20:25-28

Ethan Kirl

Originally Published March, 9, 2023