Being Many, We are all Important

"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." (Romans 12:4-5)

All too frequently in today's Christian circles, we place certain individuals and certain gifts on a pedestal, and all too often the resulting pride is devastating. Pride may be the favorite tool of Satan. Pride was the reason Satan rebelled and lost his exalted position. He appealed to Eve's pride in the garden, similarly tempted Christ in the wilderness, and uses it on us today. James reminds us that it's common knowledge that "God goes against the willful proud; God gives grace to the willing humble."(James 4:6 Message) " Some of the best advice I ever received was from a deacon in the church that licensed me to “Preach the Gospel”. He told me that if I go into the pulpit like a proud rooster someday I would exit it like a “whuupped dog”. It was not long after that I felt the sting of his wisdom.

Paul, through the Holy Spirit, chose to introduce his teaching on the use of spiritual gifts and unity of the entire body with a warning against pride, admonishing “for by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you”. (Romans 12:3 NIV). His discussion on the many-membered body which follows leaves no room for pride. Nor does the parallel passage in 1 Corinthians 12:12-31.

The apostle points out that each Christian forms an equally essential part of the whole. Since we are all equal in God's eyes, and all mutually dependent upon one another, what room is there for pride? Likewise, Paul points out that each Christian possesses an equally vital connection with Christ. Who are we to tell Christ a part of His body is less valuable than the rest? Can the body exist without a leg; Yes. Can the body function without eyes? Could I have continued on without the new hip? The answer is of course. We see it everyday. People conquering the challenges of having less than a “perfect body” but when the body is whole and working as it is supposed to it is a much easier task to do day to day functions. He is concerned for each one equally and has given each part of the body and the church its/their specific mission and function.

I also wonder if sometimes we have the opposite attitude. We do not feel that we are more important because we have a certain function and in our own eyes the body would not function without us. I wonder if sometimes we feel our job, our function is not as important as others. Therefore we do not take it as seriously. What if I don’t give my gift all the attention I need to? Who will notice that my part is missing?

Either attitude, and over-indulged pride or a lack of importance are both as equally devastating to our growth in the spirit.