Look inside this book.Where the Bush is Burning: A Daily Devotional by [Thomas Tice]

Tag: Romans 12

Members Of One Another

Members Of One Another

By |

For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one boy in Christ, and individually members of one another.  

Romans 12:4-5

We prize our independence. We are, however, designed for community. Our text declares we are one body in Christ and then adds, ‘and individually members of one another.’ Paul expands on this idea when he takes up the subject of the Body of Christ in I Corinthians. There he explains, ‘And the eye cannot say to the hands, I have no need of you; or again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary.’ The explanation he gives is that we are interrelated and interdependent. This means we need each other. As we look out over the vast organizational wasteland of religion we find it hard to see how this can be, given the current state of affairs in what people call the church. The fact is the organic unity and interdependence of the people of God exists in spite of organizations rather than because of them. People touch other people as cells touch cells. The hand helps the eye; the eye helps the foot and so it goes. At the organic level, the church, the Body of Christ does function. Christ is still the Head. He still controls every part of His Body. He is still building that Body and guaranteeing the overall success of it. To Him Alone be the glory.  

Our Holy and Wise God, 
we rejoice that You are building Your church. 
We praise You that it will function, 
according to Your will.  

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning

 

Not The Same

Not The Same

By |

For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.  

Romans 12:4-5  

We are all the same in that we are redeemed, but we are all different as far as how we function as the Body of Christ. Paul makes direct reference to these differences in our text.  Here, he suffices to say, ‘we have many members in one body, but all members do not have the same function.’ In later writings he will expand on that idea. He points out the different functions by saying, ‘if the foot should say, because I am not a hand, I am not of the body, is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear should say, because I am not an eye, I am not of the body, is it therefore not of the body?’ It is evident from his description that each of us, who is a member of the Body of Christ has a role or function in that Body. God has chosen that role for us, fit and fashioned us to fulfill it, and placed us where we can perform the function He has for us. Therefore we should appreciate the diversity of the Body of Christ and the valuable role we and others play in it. It is not even all-important that we have a full understanding of the extent of the role we play. There are many things which God has not fully revealed to us. As we look to Christ daily, living in the imitation of Him, we will fulfill our purpose in His Body for the greater good of the whole.  

Our Holy and Wise God, 
we rejoice that You have given us a place in Your Body. 
We praise You that You have prepared us 
for the role we play. 

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning

Members Of One Another

Members Of One Another

By |

For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one boy in Christ, and individually members of one another.  

Romans 12:4-5

We prize our independence. We are, however, designed for community. Our text declares we are one body in Christ and then adds, ‘and individually members of one another.’ Paul expands on this idea when he takes up the subject of the Body of Christ in I Corinthians. There he explains, ‘And the eye cannot say to the hands, I have no need of you; or again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary.’ The explanation he gives is that we are interrelated and interdependent. This means we need each other. As we look out over the vast organizational wasteland of religion we find it hard to see how this can be, given the current state of affairs in what people call the church. The fact is the organic unity and interdependence of the people of God exists in spite of organizations rather than because of them. People touch other people as cells touch cells. The hand helps the eye; the eye helps the foot and so it goes. At the organic level, the church, the Body of Christ does function. Christ is still the Head. He still controls every part of His Body. He is still building that Body and guaranteeing the overall success of it. To Him Alone be the glory.  

Our Holy and Wise God, 
we rejoice that You are building Your church. 
We praise You that it will function, 
according to Your will.  

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning

 

Not The Same

Not The Same

By |

For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.  

Romans 12:4-5  

We are all the same in that we are redeemed, but we are all different as far as how we function as the Body of Christ. Paul makes direct reference to these differences in our text.  Here, he suffices to say, ‘we have many members in one body, but all members do not have the same function.’ In later writings he will expand on that idea. He points out the different functions by saying, ‘if the foot should say, because I am not a hand, I am not of the body, is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear should say, because I am not an eye, I am not of the body, is it therefore not of the body?’ It is evident from his description that each of us, who is a member of the Body of Christ has a role or function in that Body. God has chosen that role for us, fit and fashioned us to fulfill it, and placed us where we can perform the function He has for us. Therefore we should appreciate the diversity of the Body of Christ and the valuable role we and others play in it. It is not even all-important that we have a full understanding of the extent of the role we play. There are many things which God has not fully revealed to us. As we look to Christ daily, living in the imitation of Him, we will fulfill our purpose in His Body for the greater good of the whole.  

Our Holy and Wise God, 
we rejoice that You have given us a place in Your Body. 
We praise You that You have prepared us 
for the role we play. 

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning

Members Of One Another

Members Of One Another

By |

For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one boy in Christ, and individually members of one another.  

Romans 12:4-5

We prize our independence. We are, however, designed for community. Our text declares we are one body in Christ and then adds, ‘and individually members of one another.’ Paul expands on this idea when he takes up the subject of the Body of Christ in I Corinthians. There he explains, ‘And the eye cannot say to the hands, I have no need of you; or again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary.’ The explanation he gives is that we are interrelated and interdependent. This means we need each other. As we look out over the vast organizational wasteland of religion we find it hard to see how this can be, given the current state of affairs in what people call the church. The fact is the organic unity and interdependence of the people of God exists in spite of organizations rather than because of them. People touch other people as cells touch cells. The hand helps the eye; the eye helps the foot and so it goes. At the organic level, the church, the Body of Christ does function. Christ is still the Head. He still controls every part of His Body. He is still building that Body and guaranteeing the overall success of it. To Him Alone be the glory.  

Our Holy and Wise God, 
we rejoice that You are building Your church. 
We praise You that it will function, 
according to Your will.  

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning

 

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