Someone has said that if two people in any relationship are exactly the same, then one of them is unnecessary. In the text we looked at in Sunday’s sermon (Rom 12:3-8), Paul makes it clear that he does not expect us to all be alike. We are as different from one another as are the different parts of our physical bodies different in form and function. Paul's point is that we are still one body despite those differences, connected not only to God but to each other as well (see verse 5).
And he argues here for a diversity of gifts that benefit the body. His whole argument for unity here is based on the assumption that real and necessary diversity exists in the body of Christ. The Christians in Rome were gifted in such diverse ways as prophecy, service, teaching, encouragement, financial giving, leadership, and showing mercy. And so it is with us. While we may all function in some ways in every one of these (and many other areas) areas, our diversity shows up in the unique ways that God gifts one area above others. Unity does not make us boring clones of one another. Rather our diversity blesses the whole body as we use our different gifts to God's glory.
In a good marriage, the husband and wife act as a unit; they are “one flesh” in a very special sense. But husbands and wives in even the best marriage always have differences. Show me a couple that never argues and I’ll show you a couple that never talks! (And even they “argue in their hearts”). Marriage is based upon a God-given difference between husbands and wives so that they complement one another in many different ways. Sameness will just not work… viva la difference! And unity in the church is also based on differences, the commitment to use our different gifts for the glory of God and the blessing of the family.
Like a human body and a good marriage, unity is found in diverse and different Christians using their very different gifts and perspectives to glorify the one God and uplift the one body. If unity requires us to become alike, then unity will always remain an impossible dream. Unity is possible (make that commanded) only when we accept our gifts different gifts along with the fact that they do make us different. When we are free to do that, then we are free to use our gifts to serve one another… and the one and only God.
And he argues here for a diversity of gifts that benefit the body. His whole argument for unity here is based on the assumption that real and necessary diversity exists in the body of Christ. The Christians in Rome were gifted in such diverse ways as prophecy, service, teaching, encouragement, financial giving, leadership, and showing mercy. And so it is with us. While we may all function in some ways in every one of these (and many other areas) areas, our diversity shows up in the unique ways that God gifts one area above others. Unity does not make us boring clones of one another. Rather our diversity blesses the whole body as we use our different gifts to God's glory.
In a good marriage, the husband and wife act as a unit; they are “one flesh” in a very special sense. But husbands and wives in even the best marriage always have differences. Show me a couple that never argues and I’ll show you a couple that never talks! (And even they “argue in their hearts”). Marriage is based upon a God-given difference between husbands and wives so that they complement one another in many different ways. Sameness will just not work… viva la difference! And unity in the church is also based on differences, the commitment to use our different gifts for the glory of God and the blessing of the family.
Like a human body and a good marriage, unity is found in diverse and different Christians using their very different gifts and perspectives to glorify the one God and uplift the one body. If unity requires us to become alike, then unity will always remain an impossible dream. Unity is possible (make that commanded) only when we accept our gifts different gifts along with the fact that they do make us different. When we are free to do that, then we are free to use our gifts to serve one another… and the one and only God.
No comments:
Post a Comment