Today's Devotional

October 9, 2003

Subject:  Roles For Souls

1 Corinthians 12:14 - "For the body is not one member, but many."

We've been having an interesting discussion in my Wednesday night bible study.  The class is about the disciples and how they were ordinary men.  We've also discovered that they carried different personality types.  Thus far we've only done Peter and Andrew, the brothers.  They appear to be quite opposite in their personalities and temperament, but they were both motivated for Christ and followed Him as soon as He told them to.  

We should learn that people's differences don't have to be a bad thing and are actually a great thing for the body of Christ.  The rest of the 1st Corinthians 12 passage talks about what it would be like if the whole body was an eye or if the whole body was an ear.  You'd have one messed up body.  

However, that's what we try to create when we impose "our" personality on others in the body.  God has in fact given each of us his/her own distinct personality for His use.   We often tell people how they should do it this way because that's what we would do, not considering that they are "not us."  In my office at work I've talked often about how my fellow Christian is a softer touch and I, a much harder punch, but we both realize the roles that God has given us in ministering to those in the office.  For that reason we value each other's God-given gifts.

I think that was a strength of the disciples.  While many of them fought to be "the greatest," they understood what each person "brought to the table.'  They realized that they needed a Peter and that they needed an Andrew.  You need preachers out there talking fire and brimstone and you need some out there who talk the love of God.  If hearts are right before God, He will ultimately create the balance between those messages because remember, it's not just about any one individual.  The body is not one member, but many.  You might only be the eye, but this calling we have is about the body.

God's given you a role to play.  Get in your role and let's win some souls. 

Carlen