BY Tope Banso
“There are different ways to serve but the same Lord to serve. And there are different ways that God works through people but the same God. God works in all of us in everything we do” (1 Corinthians 12:5-6 New Century Version).
Lack of understanding of the body of Christ has made some believers, including ministers of God, go into error. It has made some to be full of themselves, leading to their fall. They were so proud of their gifts that they arrogated to themselves the position, which God had not given them. Pride led to their destruction (Proverbs 16:18).
Ignorance of the body of Christ has made some to isolate themselves from other Christians and ministers because they believe that they’re the only one who is right; all others are wrong.
No doubt, there are some supposed Christian groups that have completely gone astray, engaging in practices that the Bible clearly forbids and promoting behaviours that are unmistakably sinful. Christians, who believe Bible teachings, must have nothing to do with such. However, believers must generally understand the body of Christ and relate properly with fellow believers and ministers.
In 1 Corinthians 12, the Bible compares the body of Christ to the human body, that consists of different parts, performing different functions. According to Romans 12:4-5, “Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are all parts of his one body, and each of us has different work to do. And since we are all one body in Christ, we belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others” (New Living Translation).
As believers, we must understand that God has given each person different abilities to perform the functions He has assigned him. The gift, grace or anointing is not an achievement that should make anyone proud. It is not for one’s personal benefit, but for the good of all believers.
If you criticize or separate yourself from other believers or ministers, who have the gifts, abilities or the anointing that God has not given you, you cheat yourself. God does not give anyone EVERYTHING.
God uses people in different ways. 1 Corinthians 12:5-6 says, “There are different ways to serve but the same Lord to serve. And there are different ways that God works through people but the same God. God works in all of us in everything we do” (New Century Version).
Use your spiritual gifts and be open to the ministry of others, as they use theirs, too. Don’t feel too important. When God’s servant, Billy Graham, turned 92 years, he spoke on his regrets and some things he would do differently. One of the things he said was, “I would give more attention to fellowship with other Christians, who could teach me and encourage me (and even rebuke me when necessary).”
Don’t neglect meeting with other believers and being open to others’ ministries (Hebrews 10:25).
PRAYER POINT: Father, help me to give more attention to fellowship with other Christians.
This is wisdom for living, and it’s worth sharing. Please share.
(For more inspiring messages, visit: www.cedarministry.org).
▪ Banso, an Abuja-based minister can be reached at Cedar Ministry International,
cedarministryintl@yahoo.com, cedarministryng@gmail.com
Tel No: +2348155744752,+2348033113523
WhatsApp No: +2349081295947