Read: Romans 12:4-5
Those who play team sports will understand the necessity of having a team of committed people. It can be incredibly frustrating to be trying to pull a team together that is not committed to the game. When there are members missing, the whole team is affected and the victory of the team is put in jeopardy. Alternatively, when all the team members are committed to both training and to playing the games the team can function with the finesse and skill required to maximise their chance of victory.
It is not hard for us to imagine what Paul is saying then here in Romans 12:4-5. We who are in Christ form one single team with each other and because of that we belong to one another. Paul is exhorting us to be committed to the team. He is encouraging us to be faithful to the body and serious about loving and serving one another. When we are not committed to the body the whole body of Christ suffers, even if we can’t see it. If, however, we are serious about serving and loving the body then the whole body of Christ will be blessed and encouraged.
Paul uses an even stronger metaphor than that of a sports team. In Christ we, as many members, form one body. Each of us have many different parts of our bodies which are all vital for the body's function and survival. Just as it becomes difficult to function when you have lost an important part of your body it affects the whole church when one member of the body is missing. Added to that, all the members of the body belong to one another and are part of the one unit. The
In an age where many people treat the church simply as a place for their own needs to be provided for and for others to serve them this is a radical idea. Instead of leaving when the music doesn’t fit our tastes we are to be committed to the local body. Instead of coming simply so that our needs can be taken care of we must come to serve and love others. Church is not about meeting our needs but about us gathering as the body of Christ to meet the needs of each other. It is about us gathering together to serve and to be about the work of encouraging God’s people, growing in love and holiness and reaching the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Such a mission requires everyone to be involved, no one is unnecessary in the body of Christ. And no one is just along for the ride.
This kind of commitment and service is motivated and driven by the kind of humility and love that Paul talks about in Romans 12:3. This is what underpins our service towards one another and our commitment to each other as members of the body of Christ.
Let us be committed to the body of Christ. Let us always remember that we are members of one another and let us grow in our love for each other and service to one another.
Prayer:
Use the Bible passage from today and the reading notes to write down your prayer points before you pray.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¥ Thank God for His love and grace to us in providing a community of other believers for us to be a part of. Pray that He would help you to be serious and committed to your local body of Christ. Pray that He would grow in you a humble, servant heart towards other believers.
¥ Pray for the other believers in your church. Pray that they too would grow in commitment and faithfulness to the body of Christ. Pray that God would be at work through your church to reach the community and to encourage those involved in the church.
It is impossible to live a complete and full Christian life unless we are in community with other Christians. This is how God designed it to be. Are you in community with other Christians?
1. What do you think church would be like if everyone had this attitude and commitment towards one another?
2. Practically, what does it look like for someone to be committed to the body in this way?
Intro: We often need to work together with other people to get something done. Together we can do more than on our own.
Share: A time when you did a group assignment. Did everyone help? Did it make it easier or harder? What would have happened if someone had not helped at all?
Read: Romans 12:4-5. Paul tells us that we need other Christians to help us. Also, we need to work together with other Christians. What picture or example does Paul use for this?
Pray Together: Thank God that He has given us other Christians to encourage us. Pray that He would help you to encourage others too.
Intro: We often need to work together with other people to get something done. Together we can do more than on our own.
Share: A time when you did a group assignment. Did everyone help? Did it make it easier or harder? What would have happened if someone had not helped at all?
Read: Romans 12:4-5. Paul tells us that we need other Christians to help us. Also, we need to work together with other Christians. What picture or example does Paul use for this?
Pray Together: Thank God that He has given us other Christians to encourage us. Pray that He would help you to encourage others too.
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