|
During the last few weeks, Andrea and I watched some young
folks play organized sports. This got me thinking about
an analogy between a sports team and a congregation. In
a manner of speaking, a congregation is a team, "a number
of persons associated together in work or activity" (Webster's
Dictionary).
We Are Members of the Same Body
As Christians, we have been baptized into Christ (Rom. 6:3),
and we're members of His body (Eph. 5:23). Therefore, we
are individually members of one another.
Paul says, "For just as we have many members in one body
and all the members do not have the same function, so we,
who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members
one of another" (Rom. 12:4-5).
We are Equally Important
The body of Christ is composed of many members, not just
one (1 Cor. 12:14). Therefore, each member is equally important
and dependant upon one another (1 Cor. 12:15-19).
Paul uses the analogy of the human body. The body is not
composed of only one member but many members. Each member
needs the other members to function as a body; therefore,
each member is equally important (1 Cor. 12:12-26).
As a Result, There is Unity
God created the body of Christ, which is the church (Eph.
1:22-23), so that there is unity (1 Cor. 12:23-25).
Christians bestow more honor upon members the world may
deem less honorable, "giving more abundant honor to that
member which lacked, so that there may be no division in
the body, but that the members may have the same care for
one another" (1 Cor. 12:24-25) -- this results in unity.
In this respect, the church is different from a sports
team, where more honor is given to the "best" players. This
is especially evident with professional sports teams, where
a few members are paid much more than the other team players,
often resulting in division of the team.
Christians, "do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit,
but with humility of mind regard one another as more important
than yourselves" (Phil. 2:3). They don't merely look out
for their own personal interests, but also for the interests
of others (Phil. 2:4).
As a Result, There is Equal Care for Each Member
Since every member is equally important in the church, we
equally care for one other.
Paul says, "And if one member suffers, all the members
suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members
rejoice with it" (1 Cor. 12:26).
This is one of the tests whereby we can judge ourselves
as a congregation.
- Do we equally suffer and rejoice with each member of
the congregation?
- Or, do we care for one member more than we care for
another member?
Every Function of Every Member is Important
Since every member is equally important, every function
performed within the congregation is equally important.
There is no job within the congregation that is less important
or more important than any other job.
No matter what it is, from cleaning bathrooms to teaching
Bible class to leading the flock, each job is equally important.
No matter our function within the congregation, at the end
of the day, our attitude is that we are unworthy slaves
(Lk. 17:10). We have just done what the Lord would have
us to do, nothing more or less.
How Important Are You?
You are as important to the congregation as everyone else,
not more or less. Therefore, you are as needed as everyone
else.
Without individual people, there wouldn't be a congregation.
And without you, the congregation wouldn't be what it is
today.
|
