Today’s selected reading continues in the first New Testament epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the Corinthian saints. More specifically today’s passage begins with the twenty-sixth verse of the fourteenth chapter and continues through to the eleventh verse of the fifteenth chapter. “How is it then, brethren? When ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints” (1 Corinthians 14:26-33).

 

            “Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under. Obedience, as also saith the law. And if if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church. What? Came the word of God out from you? Or came it unto you only? If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order” (1 Corinthians 14:34-40).

 

            “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein yhe stand; by which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: and that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: after that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostles, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed” (1 Corinthians 15:1-11).

 

            When you come to this particular portion of Scripture you will find the apostle Paul continuing his language concerning the spiritual body of the Lord Jesus Christ. What’s more is that what began with the apostle Paul writing and speaking unto them concerning both their place and function within the body of Christ the apostle Paul would shift gears and underscore what is at the very heart and center of any ministry that is engaged in within the body of Christ. In the thirteenth chapter of this New Testament epistle you will find the apostle Paul speaking of love and how at the very heart of spiritual gifts, at the very heart of speaking with tongues, at the very heart of who we are as the spiritual body of Christ is love. IN all reality I would dare say that what we find here within this passage of Scripture is an incredibly powerful picture of what ministry within the spiritual body of Christ must needs look like. Within this epistle written by the apostle Paul you can and will indeed discover a tremendous amount of language that was used concerning the spiritual body of Christ and how we as those who are called by the eternal and living God must needs be men and women who guard ourselves and the spiritual body of Christ from any division, schism, contention, strife and anything that would seek to destroy the spiritual body of Christ. It is absolutely impossible to read the words which are found within this epistle and not encounter and come face to face with the tremendous and incredible truth surrounding just how carefully we must needs guard the spiritual body of Christ from those dangers which would be present within it—that which would seek to destroy it from within among the members of the body itself.

 

            If you begin reading with and from the twelfth chapter you will find the apostle Paul beginning to write and speak concerning the spiritual body of the Lord Jesus Christ—and not only concerning the spiritual body of Christ but also concerning the members present within the body of Christ itself. You cannot read this epistle written by the apostle Paul and not encounter and come face to face with the absolutely wonderful truth surrounding the role of the individual member in the spiritual body of Christ as well as that which each individual member has to contribute to the body of Christ as a whole. There would be those who would like you to think and believe that your place within the body of Christ is whatever the minister, whatever the preacher, whatever the leader or whatever man says. The truth of the matter, however, is that man has absolutely no authority nor control over anyone’s place within the spiritual body of Christ. As you read the words presented in this epistle you will read of the spiritual gifts ordained and appointed by the Holy Spirit as well as the unique place each member has within the spiritual body of Christ. In fact within the twelfth chapter of this epistle you can and will encounter the absolutely wonderful truth surrounding the spiritual gifts being given by the Spirit as He will. What’s more is that not only are the spiritual gifts given by the Spirit as He will but it is also the placement of the individual members of the body of Christ as the living and eternal God purposes and designs. We dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this for it calls and draws our attention to the absolutely wonderful truth surrounding the spiritual body of Christ and how Christ is the head of the body, how the living and eternal God ordains and appoints the placement of each member and how the Holy Spirit distributes the spiritual gifts of the body as He wills and desires. This is something which warrants strong consideration on our part for it calls and draws our attention to the absolutely wonderful truth that the triune Godhead is entirely and altogether involved with the spiritual body of Christ and is so in a very intimate way.

 

            I sit here today thinking about and considering the words which are found within this epistle written by the apostle Paul and I am brought face to face with the absolutely wonderful truth surrounding the apostle Paul and the words and language he used concerning the spiritual body of Christ. What’s more is I do not believe for a single minute that the words and language we find here in this passage of Scripture pertains and is applicable solely to the Corinthian congregation. I am absolutely convinced that when we read the words found in this passage of Scripture we must needs understand and acknowledge that the words presented here call and draw our attention to what the spiritual body of Christ must needs be like within our generation. What’s more is I would dare say there are many ministers and leaders within many of our churches who seek to model and pattern the church which they oversee in and after an image of their own choosing. I am absolutely convinced there are countless ministers and leaders who completely and utterly leave the triune Godhead out of the operation of the body of Christ within the church they oversee and give themselves to dictating and controlling the role and the function of the church within the earth. This is something we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of for it calls and draws our attention to the absolutely wonderful reality that in order for a church which is present within this generation to not only survive but also function the way it was designed and intended to it must be wholly and fully surrendered to the authority and the divine will of the triune and eternal Godhead. It is indeed true that it was given unto the church apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, however, there are many who completely and utterly ignore the fact that the head of the Church is indeed the person of the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

            When you begin reading the opening verses of the twelfth chapter of this first epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the Corinthian saints you will find him speaking concerning spiritual gifts and how he would not have them ignorant. The apostle Paul sought to reminded that they were Gentiles carried away unto dumb idols as they were led and then goes on to write how he wanted them to understand that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed. Conversely no man can say that Jesus is the Lord but by the Holy Ghost. It is at this particular juncture the apostle Paul shifts gears and begins speaking of the diversities of the gifts within the body of Christ and the differences of administrations. Within this particular section of Scripture the apostle Paul deliberately and intentionally sought to bring the Corinthian congregation into an understand concerning the unity of the body—and not only the unity of the body but also the unity of the triune Godhead. I am absolutely convinced that just as the triune Godhead is united within each of its members so also must the spiritual body of Christ be united among each and every one of its members. We dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this and how absolutely incredible it truly is for it calls and draws our attention to the absolutely wonderful reality of the unity of the body and how the spiritual body of Christ can only operate and function the way it was designed and intended to if it is united within itself. I firmly believe there is absolutely no way for the spiritual body of Christ to truly operate and function within the earth the way it was designed and intended to if it deviates from the pattern that was ordained within Scripture. Just as the Tabernacle could not be built after any pattern Moses or the children of Israel sought and desired so also could the church and spiritual body of Christ not be formed or fashioned in and after any image men and women desire and see fit. It is with this in mind I find it absolutely imperative to call and draw your attention to the following words which are found in the twelfth chapter of the epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the saints which were at Rome, the words the apostle Paul wrote in the second chapter of the epistle written unto the Philippian saints as well as the words the apostle Paul wrote in the fourth chapter of the epistle written unto the Ephesian saints:

 

            “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts different according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; or minister, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy with cheerfulness” (Romans 12:1-8).

 

            “Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another; not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:9-21).

 

            “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, fore bearing one another in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? HE that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelist; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: from whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplication, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love” (Ephesians 4:1-16).

 

            “This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But ye have not so learned Christ; if so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: that ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be reined in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness” (Ephesians 4:17-24).

 

            “If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vain glory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputings: that ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all. For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me” (Philippians 2:1-18).

 

            There is a great need for us as the saints of God and those who are called by the name of the Lord to recognize and pay close attention to the words presented here in this passage of Scripture for they call and draw our attention to the absolutely wonderful truth surrounding the manifestation of the spiritual body of Christ within the earth. We must make absolutely no mistake about it for the spiritual body of Christ was divinely orchestrated by the living and triune Godhead and it is the triune Godhead that has supreme authority over the body within the earth. Upon reading the words which are presented in the twelfth chapter of the first epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the Corinthian saints you will find the apostle Paul writing and speaking of diversities of operations but it is the same God which works all in all and there are differences of administrations but the same Lord. The apostle then goes on to describe the manifestation of the Spirit and how this manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. It is in the seventh verse of this chapter the apostle Paul writes how the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal while in the eleventh verse of the same chapter the apostle Paul describes how all the gifts of the Spirit works that one and the selfsame Spirit who divides to every man severally as He will. This is something we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of for it calls and draws our attention to the absolutely wonderful and powerful truth surrounding the fact that the gifts and the manifestation of the Spirit is not for us as individuals nor even for our own gain but for the benefit and for the edification of the spiritual body of Christ. This is something which warrants strong consideration within our hearts and minds for it brings us face to face with the absolutely wonderful truth surrounding the manifestation of the Holy Spirit which is present within the body of Christ.

 

            With this being said I find it absolutely necessary to ask you whether or not you are aware of the fact that you have something you can and something you should contribute to the spiritual body of the Lord Jesus Christ. In reading the words which are found in this passage of Scripture I am absolutely convinced that each and every member of the spiritual body of Christ has something they can and should contribute to the spiritual body as a whole. If you are called to be a saint of God and if you are one who names the name of the Lord Jesus Christ you have something to offer the spiritual body of Christ. What’s more is there is absolutely no one else in the body of Christ that can offer unto the body that which you yourself have been called to offer unto others. There is absolutely no other member of the body of Christ who can contribute to the body of Christ the way you were called and created to contribute to it. This is something we must needs recognize and understand for it calls and draws our attention to the absolutely incredible reality of the fact that we as the saints of God have indeed been given something incredibly specific and something special that we might offer unto the members of the body of Christ. If there is one thing within this passage of Scripture we must needs acknowledge within our hearts and lives it’s that whatever gift(s) we have been given as a member of the spiritual body of Christ it/they were not given unto us for our own edification or for our own purpose. There is not a single person within the spiritual body of Christ who was given gifts by the eternal Spirit of the living God for their own benefit and for their own purpose. Each and every gift you have been given within your life has indeed and has in fact been given that you might build up and edify the spiritual body of Christ. You will indeed notice when reading the words which are found in this passage of Scripture the apostle Paul writes how the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. This means that the gifts and the manifestation of the Spirit are not for the individual member but the whole.

 

            The more you read the words which are found in this passage of Scripture the more you can and will encounter and come face to face with the truth that the spiritual gifts given by the eternal Spirit of the living God were given that the entire body might profit and might benefit. Perhaps one of the questions we must needs ask ourselves is whether or not the spiritual body is benefiting from our being present within it. When you gather together with the other saints of God which are present in the midst of the church are others benefiting from what you have to offer and what you are bringing unto them? There is a great need for us as the people of God to recognize and pay close attention to the absolutely wonderful truth that we have not only been called to be placed within the spiritual body of Christ but we have been called to be gifted that the members of the body might indeed be benefited from our presence within the body of Christ. This is something we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of for it calls and draws our attention to the absolutely wonderful reality of how each and every one of us has been given gifts by the eternal Spirit of the living God that we might have something to offer and give unto the spiritual body of Christ. We weren’t created to merely come to church each and every Sunday morning, sing worship songs, give of our tithes and offering, hear the preaching of the word and perhaps even respond to the altar call and then go home. Each and every one of us has been uniquely placed within the body of Christ that we might indeed be of some benefit to those who are themselves part of the spiritual body of Christ. Permit me to ask you when the last time was that you entered into the church building and actually had something to offer the other members of the spiritual body of Christ? When was the last time you went to church not necessarily nor solely to receive but to give—and not merely give unto others but even unto the living and eternal God?

 

            I continue to be absolutely captivated with the reality of the spiritual body of Christ as being likened unto a puzzle with countless pieces that are all present within the box. If you have ever bought a puzzle—regardless of the size of the puzzle—you will find that there are two major components to the puzzle. The first component of the puzzle is the picture that is displayed on the puzzle box itself for that is the pattern and blueprint for what the individual pieces themselves should produce. The second component to the puzzle is the individual pieces within the puzzle box which are used to bring forth and manifest the picture that is presented on the front of the box. This is something which warrants strong consideration for the pieces which are contained with the box were perfectly shaped and formed that when they are put together—and not merely put together but put together properly—they will both begin producing and will ultimately produce the image that is presented on the box itself. What makes this absolutely incredible when you take the time to think about it is when you consider the fact that with each and every piece that is found within the box that piece was designed to connect and be joined together with at least two other pieces which are found within the box. What’s more is that the puzzle and its pieces were designed in such a way that only certain pieces can connect to other pieces. You cannot expect to connect a piece from the middle of the puzzle to a piece on either side of the puzzle nor even a piece at the top or bottom of the puzzle. Each and every piece within the puzzle box was designed to be joined together with another piece and those two pieces could not connect to any other pieces the way they were designed to connect one to another.

 

            The more I think about this the more I am brought face to face with the absolutely wonderful truth surrounding the individual pieces found within the puzzle box for each piece was formed and created in such a way that it has two components in and of itself. The first component of each individual puzzle piece is the portion of the image which was placed on the front of it while the second component of each piece is its unique shape and design. It is the portion of the image that is placed on the individual puzzle piece that helps it to contribute to the larger and overall image that can only be produced when all the pieces of the puzzle come together. This is something which is incredibly strong and powerful when you think about it for while it is indeed true that each individual piece of the puzzle has a portion of the image of the puzzle present upon it that individual piece cannot show the whole picture of the puzzle. There is not a single piece of the puzzle that cannot show the whole image of the puzzle nor can a single group of pieces show the whole image of the puzzle. Oh it is true that there might be smaller groups of pieces when joined together show a portion of the image of the puzzle itself, however, those smaller groups are entirely and altogether limited in being able to show and display what they were intended and created to show. This is something we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of for it calls and draws our attention to the absolutely wonderful truth that it is only when the pieces come and are joined together that the image of the puzzle itself is truly able to be realized and manifested wherever it is being built and put together.

 

            This particular reality of the body of Christ as a puzzle is absolutely astonishing when you take the time to think about it for it calls and draws our attention to the absolutely wonderful truth surrounding each individual member of the body of Christ itself. I am absolutely convinced that each individual member of the body of Christ was and is uniquely shaped and formed in such a way that they can and should be connected and joined together to other members of the spiritual body of Christ. One of the underlying truths pertaining to each piece of a puzzle is that regardless of what piece is present within the box—each piece was designed to connect and be joined together to a minimum of two other members. I firmly believe that each and every member of the spiritual body of Christ has been uniquely shaped and created to be joined together to at least two other members of the body of Christ. With this being said it is absolutely necessary to recognize and understand that we must needs possess discernment from the Holy Spirit to truly understand and recognize those other members we have been called to be joined together with. What’s more is that we must needs recognize that when I make such a statement I am in no way suggest or implying that we have been designed and created to be connected to two members of the body of Christ solely and that is it. I believe that each and every one of us has been called to be a member of the spiritual body of Christ as a whole and that we have a unique place within the body of Christ whereby we are able to contribute to the edification, to the building up and to the strengthening of the body. I believe that each and every one of us has been uniquely gifted by the living God to benefit and build up the spiritual body of Christ as well as uniquely formed and fashioned that we might indeed fit perfectly within the body of Christ. Each and every one of us has a unique place within the spiritual body of Christ that no one else can occupy but us and each and every one of us has been called to be joined together with other members which no other member of the spiritual body of Christ has been called to nor even can be connected or joined together to.

 

            It is with this being said I find it absolutely necessary to call and draw your attention to the first, second and third portions of the twelfth chapter of this first epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the saints which were at Corinth. It is in the first portion of this epistle we find and discover the unique gifts we have indeed been given that we might contribute to the edification and building up of the body. It is in the second portion of this particular chapter we encounter and are brought face to face with the absolutely wonderful reality of how we have each been uniquely placed within the spiritual body of Christ by God who alone knows how and why we have been placed there. Each and every one of us has indeed been given a place within the spiritual body of Christ according to the divine will, plan and purpose of the living God and we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this particular reality. What’s more is that in the third and final section of this passage of Scripture we encounter and are brought face to face with one final description of that which God has set within the church for His purpose and His divine will alone. This is something we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of for it calls and draws our attention to the tremendous truth that the spiritual body of Christ is directly impacted by the triune Godhead and it is the Father, the Son and the Spirit who directly impact and exercise full authority and control over the spiritual body of Christ. Having said this I find it absolutely necessary to call and draw your attention to the following words which are found in the twelfth chapter of this first epistle written by the apostle Paul written unto the Corinthian saints beginning with the first verse:

 

            “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there a re differences of administrations but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of. Wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; to another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will” (1 Corinthians 12:1-11).

 

            “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 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 of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one members, 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, w high 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 honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular” (1 Corinthians 12:12-27).

 

            “And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way” (1 Corinthians 12:28-31).

 

            Please pay close attention to the words which are found in this passage of Scripture for within it we are brought face to face with the absolutely wonderful truth surrounding the gifts we have been given within the spiritual body of Christ as well as our placement within the spiritual body of Christ. We dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this reality and how absolutely incredible it truly is for it brings us to the place where we recognize and understand that each and every one of us has indeed been given a unique place within the body of Christ that can only be occupied by us and no one else. There is absolutely no one else who can occupy that place within the body of Christ which we ourselves have been called and created to occupy and there is absolutely no one else who can be joined to those members of the body the way we ourselves have been called and carted to be connected and joined together to. With this being said there is a great need for us to recognize and understand that there is a unique place within the spiritual body of Christ that we have been called and ordained to occupy and that each and every one of us has an office, a role and assignment within the spiritual body of Christ ordained and appointed by the living God. What’s more is that each and every one of us has been called to contribute to the spiritual body of Christ the way that no one else can. Each and every one of us has indeed been gifted by the Holy Spirit to edify and build up the spiritual body of Christ.

 

            Building upon this all the more there is a great need for us to recognize and understand that each and every one of us must have at the very heart and center of everything we do and who we are a love for our neighbor—and not only a love for our neighbor but also a love for those who we might perceive as our enemy or enemies. In the thirteenth chapter of this particular epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the Corinthian saints we find the apostle Paul highlighting and underscoring the central theme and foundation for our place and ministry within the spiritual body of Christ. There is a great need for us to recognize and understand just how important love is for us as the saints of God and us as the spiritual body of Christ. In the thirteenth chapter the apostle Paul emphatically declares that if he spoke with the tongues of men and of angels and had not charity he was become a sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal. That which we must needs recognize and understand when reading the words found in this passage of Scripture strikes at the very heart and center of who we are and what we have been called to be as members of the spiritual body of Christ. There is perhaps no greater characteristic of the spiritual body of Christ than the love which we have one for another for love must be the underlying factor behind everything we do and who we are as the saints of God. Even Jesus Himself declared this over and over again when speaking unto His disciples for he called them to be those who not only loved their neighbors and not only loved their enemies but also declared that men and women would know they were his disciples by their love one for another. Jesus did in fact declare that men would know they were His disciples by the fruit which they bore, however, he would also declare that men would know that they were his disciples by their love. If there is one thing we must needs recognize and understand it’s that we as the saints of God and we as the disciples of Christ must needs be called to be those who move and operate in love one for another. What’s more is that we cannot call ourselves Christians if we do not give and yield ourselves to love—loving the LORD our God with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our mind and with all our strength and loving our neighbors. Consider if you will the following words which are found in this passage of Scripture beginning with the first verse of the thirteenth chapter:

 

            “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I( have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor,a nd through I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, b eleventh all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity” (1 Corinthians 13:1-13).

 

            Consider now if you will the following words which our Lord spoke unto His disciples—not only concerning love but also concerning fruit which they themselves were indeed called to bear. If we truly want to be those members of the body of Christ which we have indeed been called to be we must needs recognize that we need to be men and women characterized by love—love for our neighbors, love for our enemies, and most importantly love for the living and eternal God. Within the four gospel narratives you will find the following words which are found concerning our love for the living and eternal God as well as our love for our fellow man who we have indeed and have in fact been called to love:

 

            “ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? Do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? Do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:38-47).

 

            “But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together. Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, Master, which is the greater commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:34-40).

 

            “And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he: and to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question” (Mark 12:29-34).

 

            “Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him. Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so not I say to you, A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:31-35).

 

            “If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him: for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: believe I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him” (John 14:15-21).

 

            “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me” (John 14:23-24).

 

            “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now are ye clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: he that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love” (John 15:1-10).

 

            “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might be remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth. Not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have. Made known unto you. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. These things I command you, that ye love one another” (John 15:11-17).

 

            It is absolutely necessary and imperative we recognize and understand the words presented within these passages of Scripture for they bring us face to face with the absolutely astonishing truth surrounding the need for love to be the single greatest element of our place and position within the body of Christ. It was Jesus Himself who declared that men would know that we are His disciples by the fruit we bear and how we love one another. There is a great need for us as the saints of God to recognize and understand that we as the saints of God and the disciples of God to move and operate and love. If love isn’t at the very heart and center of everything we say and everything we do then we are no more than what the apostle Paul mentioned and wrote in the thirteenth chapter of the first epistle written unto the Corinthian saints. This is something we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of for it calls and draws our attention to the absolutely wonderful reality that we as the saints of God and the disciples of Christ must have at the very heart and center of everything we say and everything we do a love for our neighbor and a love for our enemy. There must not be anything within us that despises or rejects love for love must be the underlying motivation and driving force behind everything that we say and everything we do. What’s more is that if we as the saints of God and we as the people of God do not have love one for another than one might very well question whether or not we are indeed and are in fact disciples at all. This is something we dare not miss and lose sight of for it brings us face to face with the absolutely wonderful reality of our being disciples of the person of the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

As I bring this writing to a close I find it absolutely necessary to call and draw your attention to the fact that the single greatest component of our walk and relationship with God and with people is that of love. There is no greater honor nor is there any higher purpose than loving God and loving people and we as the saints of God must needs recognize and understand this and how absolutely incredible it truly is. Regardless of our place within the body of Christ and regardless of our function within the body of Christ there is a great need for us as the saints and people of God to be those who love God and love people. It was Jesus Himself and those who were present within His generation who believed that the greatest commandment was indeed loving the LORD God with all one’s heart, with all one’s soul and with all one’s strength. What’s more is those of that day believed that the second commandment was just like the first—namely, loving one’s neighbor as themselves. This is something we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of for it calls and draws our attention to the truly wonderful and powerful truth surrounding our need to be men and women who have at the very heart and center of everything we do and everything we are our love for God and our love for people. We dare not and must not attempt to step into that which we have been called to do and who we have been called to be absent a love for God and absent a love for our neighbor. What’s more is we dare not and must not make any attempt to live our lives without and apart from loving our enemies and those who would persecute, mistreat, curse and despitefully use us. The single greatest element of our role and relationship as saints of the living God is indeed love for we have been called to love our neighbours, love our enemies, and love God. Oh that we would indeed be men and women who are truly willing to love with everything that is present within us and to love the way we have been called and ordained by the one true and living God.