Lesson 13. The Gospel and the Holy Spirit

Day 4

In today's passage, we see that to live and grow in the gospel is to understand you are necessary to the body of Christ. Paul uses a detailed section of Scripture to teach this one truth. Let's see it:
“Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don't need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don't need you!” 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.”
1 Corinthians 12:15-26
Question 1. How do we see, from 1 Corinthians 12:15-26, that each body member is valuable to the body?Log in / create an account to enroll or continue where you left off.
Paul took pains to communicate each person's worth, inherent dignity, and necessity in the church body. He logically shows the extreme importance of each individual and the gifts they bring to the body by labeling us all as "members" or "parts of one body." No part can say it is not needed, for every aspect of the body is given by God to fulfill a specific role. Every believer should be highly respected and valued for their essential role in the church body.
The truth that they are accepted and loved in the gospel church should give hope to those who have felt marginalized by society and religious people. Those in the church who push aside or devalue others have a poor understanding of the power of the cross to redeem and the Holy Spirit's gifting of each person.
Finally, this passage of Scripture presents us with a beautiful picture of the cross. Notice verse 23: "and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor." This verse teaches us that we should give special honor to members of the body who seem not as honorable. Those with less visible or what might seem to be inferior gifts should be treated as highly valuable and given special honor.
How do we see the cross here? The cross of Jesus Christ, though connected with shame, dishonor, and weakness, has the preeminent place in God’s plan of salvation. The One who died for our sin and was covered in our shame has risen and ascended to the place of honor!
To make it personal, Jesus took the least honorable place for you! Because of the eternal love flowing from His heart, He took on your sin and shame and owned them as His. Jesus hung in dishonor on the cross for you. But because of His sacrificial death to atone for your sins, He was exalted to the highest place and given the Name above every name. The less honorable, shameful, sin-ridden, wrath-covered man on the cross was given special honor in His resurrection and ascension. Friend, as God treated Jesus, we should treat those whose gifts may not appear valuable, but God has determined, genuinely are.
Question 2. How does the gospel teach you how to treat others in the body of Christ? Please explain:Log in / create an account to enroll or continue where you left off.