One In Christ

Valaam Transfiguration Monastery

For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

For the body is not one member, but many.

If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?

But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

And if they were all one member, where were the body?

But now are they many members, yet but one body.

And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:

And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.

For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked.

That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.

And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.

                                                                        (1 Cor 12:12-26 KJV)

Let all the people applaud the choir!  I have not been able to find anything in scripture that remotely tells us that we should clap our hands for anyone other than God during a worship service.  I have never understood lifting up gifts of specific individuals within a worship service for in lifting up one we neglect the others. I have never understood putting plaques on the wall in thanksgiving to the biggest givers. There is no one and there are no gifts within the Body of Christ that are more important than another.

Within the congregation the janitor is just as important as the council member. That should apply not only just within the congregation but for the world around us.  Worship is indeed enhanced by the choir - at least in most cases. What would it be like if we walked into the sanctuary and had to walk on old bulletins and candy papers; with empty coffee cups leaning up against the back of the pews? 

The pastor is not more important than the council nor the council more important than the pastor. All, every member of the Body of Christ, are needed to function properly and in unity, for the Word of God to be declared and glorified. 

We are many members. Yet, we are all one in Christ. Let us worship and serve as one that God may be glorified and not any one or group of human beings. To God alone belongs all glory!

God's Peace - Pr. J.