The Body

Today, instead of discussing the Blackaby devotional, I would like to look at 1 Corinthians 12:25-26. In the 12th chapter of 1 Corinthians, Paul is explaining spiritual gifts. In trying to convey the thought of unity, Paul ends the verse by speaking of how the body, with many distinct parts, must work together. In verse 25 & 26, Paul writes, "so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it."

So, if the church is the Body of Christ (all of the redeemed of all the ages, believers from every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation) then there should be "no division" among the parts. We could stop there and write for days about the concern for unity among baptized believers, but I want to make this more personal. What about the body of believers known as Living Hope Baptist Church?

It is my hope that every member of Living Hope has equal concern for every other member of this body. There are many, many members of our church body and it can be was easy for some to feel a sense of greater importance, entitlement, or value because of their role or their time served as a member. Each member's commitment and dedication to Living Hope is equally important and we should suffer and rejoice together...as a whole. Though people may come and go and the look of our ministries change, may our "parts" always work together to help people Get to God, Grown in Christ, and Give to Others.

Allen Cothran
Technical Ministries Director