Day 21- All Members of One Body

10/19- Sunday (New Theme: FELLOWSHIP AS MINISTRY; Read LT Chapter 4) Romans 12:1-8 1Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.  3For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your^afaith; 7if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,^b do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Bonhoeffer: “God did not make this person as I would have made him.  He did not give him to me as a brother for me to dominate and control, but in order that I might find above him the Creator.”

Thoughts: This is truly a great passage.  Ministers and teachers often divide it up and study it piecemeal.  But the progression of the thought of Paul (and leading of the Spirit) is helpful to see.  Paul had, in Romans 11 said that all those who really believe (the true Israel) will be saved and he writes a wonderful doxology in praise of God’s wisdom and riches.  Then he says the wonderful transition word “therefore.”  In view of God’s grace and mercy to save us, we should offer ourselves as living sacrifices- knowing nothing can truly harm us- and nothing can take away God’s mercy.  We do not need to be moved or molded by the ways of the world because God is merciful and will save us.  In fact, instead of being molded by the world, we should mold and shape the world bringing the kingdom from heaven to earth. 
     This is the context for Paul’s great verses on fellowship- 1) Do not think of yourself too highly- you are a part of a larger picture and a larger body.  Everyone is an important part- but we are just a part.  2) Together we make one functioning body- one moving machine.  Each of us has been given a specialty- a gift.  Whatever our passion, our talents, we should use it for the glory of God to the best of our ability.  He lists various gifts- speaking forth the Word (prophesying), being a servant to others, explaining the Word, encouraging others in their journey, giving to other people the time- talents and money we have’ leading- making a path for others to follow; being merciful and compassionate to those in need.  All of these are important gifts.  If all led we would be in trouble.  If all showed mercy and none led we would likewise be in trouble.  We need each other.  We need to work together as a body sacrificing our worldly space, time, bodies in light of God’s great love and sacrifice for us. 

Prayer: Lord, help me to respond to your love by carefully but diligently using the gift you have given me. Help me to do this in coordination, in cooperation, with the body of Christ- my fellowship.  

Prayer: Help me, Lord, to know my place and play my part.  Help me to see the importance of my part in the body of Christ, but let me understand it is YOUR body.