Thursday, March 2, 2017

Doing and Being...

For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit,serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
Being a member of the Body of Christ, both universally and locally, is a matter of both doing and being.  Quite simply, we all have a function, responsibilities, that God has put us here to do.  Many of us are irresponsible or AWOL in doing so.  That is in large part to the "being" side. We are not loving, hopeful, patient and giving. We are selfish.  Even if we "do our part", we can be lacking on the "being" side of things, doing so with grumbling, impatience, and thinking it makes no difference at all.  Of course the common element in both is the Holy Spirit. He is the one who gives us the gifts to use, and who transforms our minds and hearts to want to serve one another.  Let's welcome HIM into our day and ask for His direction in what we should do, and for the heart to want to do it. 

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