Part of the Same Body

Sometimes, it’s easy to become intimidated or even jealous of other Christians. “Alondra is so good at teachingwould I be a better Christian if I could teach like she can? Blake always knows how to show mercy to peoplewhy is that so hard for me? Is it bad that I can’t lead people in worship like Jade?”

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God has equipped His people in so many different ways, and that’s a good thing. We don’t need to compare ourselves to other Christians

because we belong to the same God. It’s not a competitionwe’re all on the same team. As 1 Corinthians 12 puts it, we are all part of the body of Christ. Even though different body parts have different functions, they all work together as a whole.

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Similarly, Christians are equipped with different spiritual gifts, but these gifts are the work of one and the same Spirit (verse 11). God doesn’t leave anyone out. All of us are important in the body of Christ, each of us tremendously and equally loved by God. He demonstrated His great love for us in JesusHe came to serve, giving His very life for us so that we could be with Him (Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45). The reason we serve now, in whatever capacity that may be, is because we love Jesus and want to share His love with others.

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As members of the same team and family, we have the freedom to explore the gifts God has given us. Some Christians will have gifts that are similar to ours, others will have very different gifts. But we can trust Jesus to guide us in how to serve Him as we listen to His Spirit, His Word, and His people. Then, empowered by the Holy Spirit, we can serve Him faithfully as one of the many unique members of His church, knowing that we are loved no matter how we serve. A. W. Smith

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Consider taking some time to reread 1 Corinthians 12 and Ephesians 4:11-16. The Holy Spirit gives different spiritual gifts to all Christians. What questions do you have about spiritual gifts?

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Who are trusted Christians in your lifesuch as pastors, counselors, parents, or teacherswho could help you discern your spiritual gifts and talk through questions you might have about the gifts you have, and the gifts others have?

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Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)

Read Verses:

1 Peter 4:10; 1 Corinthians 12; Ephesians 4:11-Ephesians 4:16