Differing Functions

"Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are not wise"  (2 Cor. 10:12, ESV).
"...We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done" (Luke 17:10, NASB).

We are all "members, one of another," and individually too, as God preserves our personality and works with what we have to make us different one from another (cf. Romans 12:4).  There is no "one-size-fits-all" method of serving the body, but everyone must find their domain of service and praise God accordingly, for it doesn't matter the gift, but the spirit in which it is used.  Everyone fits in someway! Like Mother Teresa, the ultimate caregiver, said, "It doesn't matter what you do, but how much love you put into it!" Galatians 5:6, NIV, says that "all that matters is faith working through love."  We all are built differently and should be faithful to the faculties, inclinations, and turfs we have been granted.

And so we are not to compare ourselves one with another and think we are meant to be clones of each other--even children are individuals with a personality and gift all their own.  We do not all have the same function and are built differently, to relate to Christ's body as He sees fit--actually, it's the Holy Spirit who assigns gifts to each of us individually.  Paul goes on to say that one who leads, should do so in zeal accordingly.  We all are given a measure of faith (cf. Romans 12:3) and are required to make good on it and bring forth fruit as its byproduct.  Jesus has a lot invested in us, and likewise, we are to venture to take stock of how much we have invested in others and be faithful.  We are not going to be rewarded according to our faith, but according to its byproduct, our good deeds, according to Romans 2:6.

There can be jealousy and factions in the body if the members are maladjusted or trying to do something they aren't designed for--this is the ultimate in frustration and can lead to discouragement.  Never are we to let it go to our head that we are a cut above other believers by having a superior gift, and they are but poor specimens, because of whom much is given, much is required (cf. Luke 12:48). Some members are highly affectionate and demonstrative in emotional appeal and sentiment as part of their disposition; while others are naturally stoical and inhibited, maybe because they haven't gotten out of their shell yet or realize their potential.

Cultures vary quite a lot on the amount of touch permitted or approved.  I know I wouldn't like it if some man walked up to me and gave me a kiss!   We are free to love Jesus as we know how and we don't have to be someone else or try to pretend affection or have an affectation--love must be genuine. Natural affection is suited best to the body and believers need to just be themselves--God can and will change people over time, but it's not to be under duress or coerced.

People are wired differently; some are natural servants and helpers, and see ways to help and be of service; others are born leaders and know how to take charge and show it convincingly.  The point is that we are not to think we have a superior gift, though some have more responsibilities, and some have higher callings (but there's no caste system in the body) like missions, evangelism, and ministry, but the body is to fit together in unity to fulfill the Great Commission. Romans 12:3 says, "For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned."

When you look at the story of Mary and practical Martha, and how Jesus rebuked her in that Mary had "chosen the better part" (to express her love and devotion), and it "will not be taken from her." It is obvious that Jesus wants us and not our service--He wants to be with us in fellowship, taking time to be holy.  I have heard it said that He doesn't want our achievements, but our obedience. The obedience demanded is love from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith (cf. 1 Tim. 1:5), which is the fulfillment of the Law of Moses as Paul said in Rom. 13:10. What does He require, but to love Him and to love our neighbor--especially our brethren in Christ?

We can show love in many ways:  e.g., giving and receiving gifts; words of affirmation; quality time spent; physical touch and gesture; and by acts of service and devotion.  In short, we are all unique persons in Christ and express our love in many ways or all ways, but certainly in some way!  I believe there is no one certain way of expressing love that trumps the others, they are all subject to the personality of the giver and recipient.   We need to see how God has equipped us and serve Him accordingly.  At the Judgment Seat of Christ, we can joyfully hope to hear that we are good and faithful servants, and have done that which was required.   In sum, what Jesus wants is you, so be yourself--you're not fooling anyone!    Soli Deo Gloria!

Secure In Who You Are

We all know who we are supposed to be in Christ as a body:  We are a holy nation, a peculiar people, a royal priesthood, a chosen race, and a people for His own possession (cf. 1 Pet. 2:9).  However, we are individual members one of another with our own peculiar gift and identity in the Lord.  It is vital to find out who we are in the Lord ourselves and where we fit in, and not try to be all things to all people.  We go astray when we compare ourselves with others or commend ourselves with one another (2 Cor. 10:12).   Like one saying: "Compared to him I'm a saint!" or "I just can't compete with Mother Teresa!" The compare game is a no-win proposition.

We all like to size people up and put them in a box and see what they are capable of.  Caveat:  Don't belittle someone's gift (remember that to whom much is given much is required and your race is different from theirs) and worst of all, don't exalt someone and be fooled by charisma (Greek for gift), for many cult leaders have displayed great personalities and are therefore able to lead many astray. These are wolves in sheep's clothing and charlatans to boot.

We celebrate diversity in the body, as the eye needing the ear, we all have different functions in the body and are all necessary to get the body going on track.  You cannot expect someone to have the same passion for music as one gifted in this area and feels called to have a music ministry. Likewise, some people feel the passion of God when writing and this cannot be expected as normative.  Eric Liddell, in the movie Chariots of  Fire, said that he felt God's pleasure when running and realized this is what he was meant to do.  We need to find our own passions and develop them and not try to keep up with the Jones, spiritually speaking.  I used to go to a church that had a member who always said "amen" to everything the pastor said, and we called him Amen Eddy--but he was just being himself and we loved him for it, we didn't feel compelled to copy his behavior. To be sure, we are all unique and God threw away the mold when He made us!

There is such a thing known as gift envy when we wish we had someone else's gift or position in the church.  We are prone to worry that we fall short when we get our eyes off Jesus and unto others--Peter sank in the water when he took his eyes off Jesus!  There is no gift more important than another per se, but rather the spirit that the person exercises it in, and the faithfulness he demonstrates that brings reward from the Lord at the Bema  (Judgment Seat of Christ).  We want to hear Jesus say, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."

There is no "one-size-fits-all" way to worship God, as some are more demonstrative and some stoical and feel inclined to be reverent and respectful of the presence of others, not presuming to be the spiritual leader.  Some people naturally follow and some lead but we are all one in Christ--neither is more "spiritual."  It is not a matter of "inhibition" whether one feels free to express his praise, but sometimes just a matter of church background--for instance, Pentecostals are known for being unruly and free-spirited.  Those of this persuasion think that is the only "spiritual" way to be in church.  I disagree with Pentecostal-type worship on doctrinal grounds, having been there and done that, I know where they are coming from.  The intellectual loves God more with his mind and the sentimental person may wear his feelings on his sleeve.  It is too easy to rely on feelings, and let others run the show in chaos or in an unruly manner.  It is faith, not feelings that pleases God.

I, personally, am suspicious of charismatic excess, and anything that is not decent and in order as being a sign of disrespect to others.  There are plenty of churches where this is welcome.  We go to church to worship God, be edified, and get a spiritual checkup--but they are going nowhere edification-wise in the Spirit.  We should worship God in any way that seems fit or suitable--that's why there are so many denominations.  We all have our own ideas as to what is right and what is suspicious, foreign, or "strange fire" before the Lord.

The other error is gift projection, where we think everyone should be like us and imitate our gift or way of worship.  We cannot expect others to have our gift or to measure up to our standards, but we must see that we all are part of the picture and fit into God's plan in a unique way. We are not to hold someone in special esteem as our exemplar, except Christ, who alone is worthy--we are to look to Him and keep our eyes focused on the Author and Finisher of our faith.  When we expect others to be like us or like a person we respect we are presuming to be the spiritual leaders and have spiritual ambitions that as an ulterior motive.  

Besides bringing honor to the Lord, we want to get some attention for ourselves. We shouldn't expect others to meet our standards and expectations, nor should we point others out as the one to follow and bring him into the limelight, especially if he desires to keep a low profile; but let the Holy Spirit lead through multiple people.  The Holy Spirit, Himself, is not interested in attracting attention, but only in magnifying and glorifying the Lord.

Don't get into a worship rut and be confined to one way to worship.  Don't think that your church is right and everyone else just doesn't get it. Some people are caregivers and love God through meeting the needs of others.  Some are born singers and just love to sing unto the Lord all day long--it thrives in their souls.  Some people are social activists and like to get involved in political or social causes and see this as serving and loving God.  Catholics and Lutherans are highly traditional and show their love for God through a devotion to ritual.  The point is that you must learn to be yourself and not imitate others or envy what God does through them.  God is looking for real people, not ideal people and especially not people thinking they are ideal people--no perfect people need apply!

We don't want to "betray" someone as the de facto spiritual leader ("You're the man!"), and put them under pressure.  The devil sure would like to see who we see as a leader and tempt him or use him. It can go to one's head!   It is vital that we notice when someone is exalting themselves or presuming upon themselves a position of authority or leadership--the way up is down and we must heed John the Baptist's words:  "He must increase, I must decrease" in John 3:30.  The way up is down in God's economy.  

Before honor comes humility and also we should know that the wolf in sheep's clothing always tries to get in some other way than a legitimate way, and likes the back door or a side door that is not the conventional way--he recognizes no chain of command or authorized leadership but his own, and doesn't understand authority.  Soli Deo Gloria!