Serve One Another Equally
“So that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.” Paul (1 Corinthians 12:25)
Love and Lordship in Focus…God is no respecter of persons because He’s The One who has given every person life and purpose…His purpose. That’s why followers of Jesus Christ should care for all others without discrimination (this does not mean we must agree with everyone but that we must love and serve others equally).
With that said we find the next “one another” as we continue in Paul’s first letter to the church at Corinth in 1 Corinthians 12:25-26 and look where The Holy Spirit leads Paul to write just after reminding us to wait on others. He tells us that love is to “have equal concern for each other.” In a simple summary…don’t show favoritism!
The text here is where Paul is describing the various parts of the body, our literal body, as an example of how all the parts are absolutely needed and of great importance. No one part is greater than any other regardless of the function and recognition given to it. This is how the Body of Christ is to function and by giving equal concern and care for each other we avoid division and create unity.
He follows this teaching on the unity and importance of all the parts and gifts of the Body with what we know as The Love Chapter in 1 Corinthians 13. Here The Holy Spirit, through Paul, describes what happens when we place undue priority and importance on what we’re doing rather than why we’re doing it…in Love.
This is why we must not show partiality or favoritism in any way because it divides us and it diminishes His Love in and through us. We rejoice in their blessings and fruitfulness and we hurt when they hurt…this is love as we care for each and every “one another” in fellowship in His Church.
Love and Lordship…Food for Thought – How are you caring for all those in your sphere of influence, especially those in the Body of Christ? Do you prefer some people over others…and then act on that preference?
Love in Action –
- Spend time with Him in His Word and prayer daily – read and study the Scriptures in this post as a way to start
- Ask The Holy Spirit to teach you
- What motives or thoughts may tempt or cause you to show favoritism to others? Do you struggle with this issue with others in Christ?
- If so, what needs to change and how can you change your heart to make it happen in your relationships with all others?
Contact us at loveandlordship@gmail.com.
Love and Lordship Prayer Focus…Heavenly Father, Forgive me when my fleshly pride and desires cause me to elevate some folks over others, especially in Christ’s Church. Help me to see and act toward all others as Christ has done with me. In His Name. Amen.