Russell's Reasoning's — West Douglas Church Of Christ

“For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function,” (ESV)

This verse begins with two simple words, ‘For’ and ‘As’. Other translations have, ‘Just as’, ‘For just as’, ‘Now as’, ‘For even as’, etc. A few paraphrased versions leave these words out and get right to the point. What’s the big deal? Simply put, these two words indicate that Paul is giving his readers an explanation and a continuation of what he had just written. He is assigning a reason. He has just reminded his readers to NOT think more highly of themselves than they ought to. Instead, they are to think in a safe manner befitting the way GOD wants us to think. So, what is the reason for this type of proper thinking? Because we are all in this together as the living Body of JESUS CHRIST on earth. No one is better than anyone else. We have different gifts, talents, or abilities that are GOD given. There is a role, a purpose for those gifts and it is NOT to make one person better than another. Those gifts are for furthering the growth of the Body of CHRIST, the Church. Some of us have natural abilities, some have potential abilities that only GOD knows about. In the early Church, the HOLY SPIRIT gave a variety of special gifts that were desperately needed in order to give that infant Church a head start on its life; the original Head Start Program. Ultimately, I believe, all talents are GOD given. There is a reason GOD created the Church, the Christian Family. One, HE desired this Family to grow in numbers. Two, HE desired that HIS Family grow in spiritually. Spiritual growth and numerical growth go hand in hand. HE also knew this dynamic fact; NO ONE PERSON can do it all. What one is not equipped to do, another is. Whether you are moved and equipped to show acts of mercy with cheerfulness or moved and equipped to preach to thousands without fear, your gift has a place and purpose in the LORD’S Family.

Russell Ashby