As the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body. – 1 Corinthians 12:12
If the price for bringing hope to the world was some of your own happiness, how much would you be willing to offer? Think specifically about the person or group of people that currently challenge your positive attitude. Modern culture has embraced the notion that you must get rid of irritation or irritating people to live your best life and create happiness.
People are imperfect, and anyone you are close to will eventually annoy you, even faithful brothers and sisters in Christ. If you set out to avoid and disregard everyone who does not please you, the result is loneliness. Worse still, you could possibly miss the entire reason you are on Earth! It is not up to you to assign value to members of God’s family. Consider that you may not understand the Lord’s role for each one you know.
Holy and righteous, Jesus not only shared the Father’s love for sinful humanity, He also poured Himself out, providing salvation for the benefit of all. Christ accepts all who accept Him. And, likewise, He expects you to accept the imperfect and broken.
Follower of Christ, your main goal is not happiness; it is to glorify God and function within His body of believers, carrying His message of hope to anyone who will listen. Today, as you pray over the upcoming midterm elections, lift up the body of believers across the United States, asking that a spirit of unity and purpose would focus their love first toward each other and then for a world in need.
Today’s Verse: 1 Corinthians 12:12
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.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Galatians 6:6-10
6 Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. 7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
