A New Community - The One Year Salt and Light Devotional

Romans 12:6-8

In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. (Romans 12:6)

AT EVERY LEVEL, the human body is a highly complex machine. Proteins and ribosomes within cells are remarkably intricate structures that work together to accomplish a wide range of functions; organs are made up of billions of cells all working together for one purpose; and the body itself is a highly organized system of interdependent organs and components that function as one coordinated unit. As the psalmist wrote, we are “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14, ESV).

It’s no wonder, then, that believers in Jesus are described in the New Testament as the body of Christ. Our wide variety of differences actually serves a purpose. There are some aspects of God you will never see unless you experience them through other believers; and there are some aspects of him other believers will never see unless they experience them through you. We each relate to God individually and can worship him on our own—to a point. But solo spirituality is always limited. No one has every gift, every story to tell, or every perspective. Unless we experience God in fellowship with others, we will never experience him as fully as he wants us to.

That has huge implications for our testimony in society. If we continue to see ourselves as divided personalities all trying to convince others of the right or normal way to be a Christian, we will have limited impact on the world we live in. If, however, we are able to see each other as vital assets in the functioning of one large unit, we may learn to maximize each other’s gifts, build each other up, and form a coordinated representation of the image of God. One approach points to Christianity as a highly debatable idea and fragmented religion; the other points to Jesus as the head of a spiritual body. The divided approach fits within human explanations; the latter is unexplainable apart from supernatural power. The church has an ever-open opportunity to choose which kind of organism it will be, and the world is always watching.

{Holy Spirit, unite us. As diverse and scattered as we are, we are one in you. Coordinate our gifts; weave together our stories of your grace; give us one emphatic testimony of who you are. Amen.