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.
Imagine that you lost function in your arm, a leg, your left eye, and two major organs; the losses were such that less than half of your body functioned.* I would suppose that you would be in the ICU of the hospital in need of great care. This is the state of many church communities.*
According to Paul, the body of Christ is a body comprised of differing parts with differing functions. His admonishment: function. Paul tells the church in Rome (and us as readers of God’s Word) to use the gifts that God has given them to play the part that only they can play in the body of Christ. The metaphor leads us to understand that we cannot play one another’s roles, nor can the body function well without each member doing their part.*
As Osborne points out from this passage:
(1) we all have gifts
(2) the gifts vary among us
(3) all gifts come from God*
This passage causes me to wonder: why would some part of the body not engage if they are gifted from God in a special way? Why would a member of Christ’s body not use the gift that He gave them for the body?
Borrowing from Paul’s bodily member metaphor, the only times that I have seen body parts cease function is under circumstances of unhealthiness/sickness or injury. Unlike human body parts, we may decline engaging in our own gifting because we are jealous of someone else’s, but let’s leave that discussion for another time.
For now, let us consider hurt and sickness. How many times have you been hurt in church? How often would you look at your own heart and feel that it was sick? Hurt and unhealth (un-forgiveness, bitterness, offense, etc) will hold us back from engaging in the church body with all that God has gifted us.
Why would Paul need to tell those with gifts of mercy to serve cheerfully? Can you imagine someone providing care to the sick or needy with an angry or gloomy disposition? Perhaps they served for so long and never received what they were hoping to receive: a thank you. Maybe you have experienced this. Why would Paul need to tell leaders to lead with zeal? Can you imagine an unenthusiastic leader who no longer bleeds passion? Perhaps they have been questioned and thwarted and betrayed so many times that they are deflated. Maybe you have experienced this. Why would Paul need to tell those who teach to teach? Can you imagine a teacher who has nothing to say? Perhaps others have failed to listen and apply instruction for so long that they have given up. Rather than keep going with this, please let me encourage you:
God has given you a gift for the body of Christ to function well. Though you may be hurt or sick in your heart, though you may want to retreat from community to protect yourself, the church needs you.
God has healing for you. God has comfort for you. Despite your experience, that healing and comfort may just come through the community of God… they are gifted for it. While the church needs you, you also need the church.
Today, take a step.
Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to find healing by running to God and His body rather than away from it. Maybe today God wants you to reengage with who you are and the gifts that He gave you for the body of Christ. Maybe today God wants to breathe new life into your physical body.
Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.
Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus.
Feel free to comment at the bottom of this page! We would love to hear from you!
*Kruse, C. G. (2012). Paul’s Letter to the Romans (D. A. Carson, Ed.; p. 469–474). William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; Apollos.
Osborne, G. R. (2004). Romans (pp. 322–329). InterVarsity Press.
Morris, L. (1988). The Epistle to the Romans (pp. 438–443). W.B. Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press.
Moo, D. J. (2000). Romans (p. 407). Zondervan Publishing House.