Romans 12:4-6 (NIV)
4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.
You are not in BMC by accident!
We are many members of one Body of Christ here in BMC. In the way God has put each part of the human body in its intended place, so He has placed you in BMC for His good purpose and according to His perfect will.
It is no wonder Paul uses the analogy of the human body to beautifully illustrate how the Body of Christ, the Church, is meant to function.
1. God has made the Church wonderfully diverse
The human body is indeed intricately and wonderfully made with many parts having different functions, amazingly sustained by the hand of God. God has placed each part or organ exactly where it is meant to be, to fulfil an intended function in relation to other parts of the body in order for us to breathe and move, to eat and grow, to self-heal and a myriad of other functions that enable us to live healthily and fully.
Similarly, God has placed different ones into the Church coming from diverse backgrounds, with diverse personalities, interests and talents because God has diverse gifts, ministries and service for each person to fulfil for the benefit of all in the Church (1 Cor 12:4-6). We need to celebrate our different strengths and passions but at the same time be watchful not to allow these differences to cause division among us.
For the Church to grow healthy and strong, let us learn to love and care for every person God has given into our Church family and to intentionally choose unity in diversity.
2. God has made the Church to be healthily inter-dependent
This diversity is not just something that is nice to have, it is essential for the healthy growth and optimal functioning of the Church, as God has purposed her to be and to do.
Our human body is made to work with other related organs to perform specific functions. For example, all the parts involved in our digestive system work together, from the point food goes into our mouth all the way till it is dispelled out of our body as waste, for the absorption of nutrition that is needed for health and growth.
Similarly, every individual whom God has planted into the local church not only has a role which God has assigned them to play, but they are also meant to do it in relation with other members of the church.
We are not meant to be a passive spectator in Church, just attending worship services on Sunday. In order to grow as a follower of Jesus, we need to be part of a small group community or CG as we call it here in BMC. This is where we learn together as we share life applications from the study of God’s Word. We also learn to care about others and encourage each other on our faith journey. We also learn to serve others, be it in church ministry, at the marketplace where we work or in the mission field.
If you are not yet in a CG, will you consider joining one today?
3. God has gifted the Church with diverse gifts of the Holy Spirit
I have heard people lament that they don’t have any spiritual gifts and therefore disqualify themselves from serving the Church. They compare themselves with others and conclude that gifts of the Holy Spirit are for those serving God full-time or other gifted ones.
This is not true!
From Romans 12:6 above, we learn that by the grace of God each of us have been given spiritual gifts. For example, those good at teaching children, should teach; those with a passion to pray, should pray; those who are tech-savvy should help the church establish an online presence. As we exercise the gift or talent God has given us, we help others grow to maturity in Christ and the Church will be built up. Furthermore, one day, we will all have to account to God how we have stewarded these gifts.
So let us seek to discover what spiritual gift God has given us and begin to use it faithfully to the glory of God.
God’s love and peace be with you
Sabrina Ng