Working Together to Accomplish More

To build and edify His Church, God gives each believer at least one spiritual gift. In 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 Paul wrote, “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.” We are limited in what we can do as individuals, but, working together, we can accomplish great things. In verses 7-11 we read, “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and He gives them to each one, just as He determines.” In essence, we are one body made up of many parts. In his letter to the church in Corinth, Paul refers to the human body which is made up of many important parts. The eyes, ears, hands, legs and arms work together, each performing its necessary role in the body. All are essential and necessary to form one body. To illustrate working together, think of the industrial crane used at construction sites to lift tremendous loads with cables that are no bigger than garden hoses. When these strands are twisted together it gives the crane incredible strength. What happens when God’s people work together? What could happen when St. Andrew’s congregation work together to put on a great Ice Cream Social, host a tremendous Sauerkraut Supper or come together as a family to build and grow the church?

Carol Jones