Read Romans 12:1-5.

Working Together

"For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office" (v. 4).

          I'm all thumbs. This expression, often used in mild self-deprecation, illustrates humorously the lack of coordination we occasionally feel.  Can you imagine if it were true?  Take a moment to look at your hands.  How well would they work if every digit were a thumb?  Could you write smoothly or hold a spoon properly?  Could you type an email or peel an orange well?  If our hands were truly all thumbs, we'd be clumsy indeed.

Now, consider the church. How would the church work if we were all thumbs?  If we were all greeters? Or ushers?  Or musicians? Or teachers?  Or preachers? Would the church function properly without the right people in the right roles?  No, of course not.  If we all were ushers, who would give?  If we all taught, who'd listen? If we all played music, who would sing?

Together, we are the body of Christ: "Though many, [we] are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another" (Romans 12:5). When we use the "gifts that differ according to the grace given to us" (Romans 12:6), we work together to form a body that functions as designed by God. (LAW)

We give thee but thine own,

Whate'er the gift may be;

All that we have is thine alone,

A trust, O Lord, from thee.

--William How

Though different in form and function, we work together as one.