The great equalizer

A desire for supremacy is rooted deep within our sinful natures. We tend to look for every little indication that we are better than others. It should come as no surprise to us, considering our penchant for sin, that God's way is just the opposite. As Paul explained to the believers at Ephesus: "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast" (Eph 2:8-9). It is all of God, so we cannot say that we are better than other people—even when the "other people" are nonbelievers. As the saying goes, "There, but for the grace of God, go I."

1 Corinthians 12:12-13

For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.

But it doesn't stop at salvation, leaving us vying for power and distinction within the Church. This morning I was reading in 1 Corinthians 12 and was reminded that whatever our "position" or "title" in the local church, we are equal in Christ. As the passage to the right so clearly illustrates, it doesn't matter if we were Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—we are all equal in Christ.

The greater context of this passage explains that we all have different duties in our local assembly that God has prepared us to fulfill for the betterment and edification of the other believers. Each of these duties is necessary, even though some duties appear to come with greater honor and recognition than other duties.

Chapter 14 encourages us to contribute our personal gifts to the local assembly with the intention of edifying the saints. "When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up (1 Cor. 14:26). And if we are looking to this purpose, rather than vying for power or feeling hurt because we are not receiving the honor that another seems to be receiving, the local church will run like a well-oiled machine. The passage ends with the encouragement: "But all things should be done decently and in order" (1 Cor. 14:40). And this encouragement is given in the context of prophecy, saying that no more than two or three people should prophecy at once and that they should have interpreters. So Paul is saying that even if someone has received a word from God for the assembly, he is not to push this on others, but he is to wait for his turn."

I know that I often want to push my own agenda, thinking that I have something tremendous to offer to the people of God. But God has gifted each of us and we must do things decently and in order. Our turn will come at the right time for the edification of the congregation.