EVERY PART DOES ITS SHARE

Success is usually measured by a positive outcome. For example, in the realm of sports, if a team wins it’s considered successful. But that success wouldn’t have been achieved if not for the efforts of each member of the team. This thought reminded me of some similar statements Paul made in regards to the church.

After cautioning the saints in Ephesus not to be “tossed to and fro . . . with every wind of doctrine” (Ephesians 4:14), Paul encouraged them to be a “body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share” which would produce the growth of the body (vs. 16). As we see, success came from “every joint” effectively working together to do his or her part. Earlier in the same letter, Paul spoke of the Ephesian’s former standing as “strangers and foreigners” (Ephesians 2:19), but that they were now “fellow citizens” in the household of God “having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit” (vs. 20-22). We see once again the idea of success (or growth) through togetherness, working as one for the same purpose.

We also can turn our attention to Paul’s first letter to the church in Corinth. In speaking of the body (or church) consisting of many members, he emphasizes that no one is unimportant but that all are necessary (1 Corinthians 12:12-26). May we, therefore, remember we’re all valuable and do “our share” or part in spreading the gospel, whether it’s through teaching (by word or example) or encouraging someone to come and hear the gospel being proclaimed.