In celebrating diversity and unity (1 Cor 12:12-31), Paul reminds us that there are many different roles and functions within any church. The ‘lists’ of gifts here (apostles, prophets, teachers, miracle workers, gifts of healings) obviously reflect the Corinthians’ emphasis on the supernatural, but ‘helping’ and ‘administration’ are also mentioned (far less visible gifts!) In other parts of the Bible, the lists include other, less spectacular giftings (eg Rom 12:2-8, where prophecy and teaching are linked to service, encouragement, showing mercy and generous giving.) The point of this is to remind us forcibly that just as each part of the human body is vital (especially the ‘less honourable’ parts!), so it is with the church. Some roles may well be more visible than others (as the hand, adorned with jewellery, is more visible than the foot, covered in socks and shoes), but this does not mean these are more important.
Paul reminds Timothy that ‘godliness with contentment is great gain.’ (1 Tim 6:6) He tells the Romans ‘Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.’ (Rom 12:3) In thinking rightly of ourselves, we have to:
- know the truth and be set free by this truth (see John 8:32)
- accept God’s evaluation of us over and above our own feelings (or what anyone else may tell us – the Message version of Rom 12:3 says ‘The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him.’)
- be content with the person God has made us to be (recognising that we’re now new creations in Christ, see 2 Cor 5:17)
- accept others unconditionally as Christ accepts us (Rom 15:7)
John Piper comments ‘like all issues it comes down to a radically God-focused issue—do you trust God?’ We have to be prepared to trust God’s sovereignty in placing us (and others!) in the body of Christ exactly where He wants us (1 Cor 12:18) and learn to serve Him right where we are.