Scriptural Foundation:
1 Corinthians 12:12-31 New King James Version (NKJV)
For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. For in fact the body is not one member but many.
If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. And if they were all one member, where would the body be?
But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.
Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.
Reflection:
I competed in sports from middle school through college. For every sport I played the same discipline was required to succeed. I had to be present for every practice, while maintaining my course load and GPA. If I did not do either of those two things, I was not able to play in the next game/run in the next meet. The coach wanted only the people that were prepared for the match to be on the field. At the same time, everyone had to be ready to be called onto the field if needed.
When you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you became a part of the Body of Christ. Depending on where you are in life, you may feel like your contribution to the Kingdom is not making a difference, but the truth is when you became a new being, every breathe you take has a purpose for the Kingdom.
Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. – 2 Corinthians 5:16-19
The Holy Spirit requires that we “practice” the Word on ourselves, “maintaining” your relationship with the King of Kings and the Lord or Lords through studying the Bible. Our game time is any and everyone that crosses our path! The is just one objective:
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. – 2 Peter 3:9
As a Believer you are no longer a spectator in life. You have a responsibility to reach out to the lost. Everyone has a story to share, a heart ache that is relatable, a scar that is memorable…seek out the lost, share the joy and the love of the Lord as you go. That doesn’t mean to be loud, it means to be soft and patience just like the Holy Spirit is soft and patient. You may know every need to say a word.
And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed. – Acts 5:14-16
A couple of weeks ago a friend of mine was going through a difficult situation. I helped her as the Lord lead me to help. She called me up one day and told me that her father was adamant that I was an imaginary friend. “People don’t just help people like that, they would be crazy if they did.” She and I laughed about it, but it blessed me to know what I thought was a little thing, was having ripple effects in the thoughts of others. I pray that her father comes to the saving knowledge of Christ, but just being in the shadow of my dear friend’s trial.
Beloved, it is all about souls. Resolve in your heart to be purposeful about your interactions with the individuals around you. Listen to their words and apply what you have learned from the Word to the situation. Revival starts with one, be that one Beloved, be that one!
Seeking Revelation:
Grab your notebook:
- Have you been shy about sharing your faith with someone else? Why is that? Write down the worst thing that could happen?
- Sharing faith comes in all different forms. You may not have to even speak, but people just sense something is different about you. Think back, write down any past experiences that you have shared your love for the Lord without saying a word.
- Now pray and have the Lord put certain people on your heart to love on. Every little action is a seed sown into eternity. Reflect often on your words and actions towards others, you will be surprised the ripple effect that you have!