Fellowship is as essential to our growth as food is to our physical bodies. This is why the writer of Hebrews says: “And let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (10:25). The author knew that God’s plan of helping individuals continue to press on in their faith and bring the gospel to all nations involved believers meeting and ministering together as the body of Christ.
The Scriptures tell us that we are each like different parts of the physical body. Each part has a significant role and different spiritual gifts. The body will “grow and build itself up in love, as each does its work” (Ephesians 4:16). One day as I was meditating on this verse, I realized that it was saying that every time a member is not using their gifts and carrying out their role in the church, the whole body suffers, does not grow as much, and does not have as great an impact on the world around them. This is why Paul tells us that every member is important, and no body part can say it is less or more important than the other body parts (1 Corinthians 12:14-26).
Take a minute to read this part of the Bible. It is packed full of encouragement. He emphasizes that every part is necessary, important and honored. He says: “Its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it” (1 Corinthians 12:25-26).
Consider a couple questions: 1) Am I doing all that God has gifted and called me to do in the body of Christ? 2) Is there anyone the Lord wants me to encourage regarding their spiritual gifts so they will excel still more? 3) Is there any training or mentoring I can receive to be better equipped to serve the body of Christ?
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