All gifts for common good

There is nothing more divisive than different goals. Two people who want to go to two different places; two children who are pulling in two directions. But when all have a common goal, there is unity. Think of a rugby team, for example. A prop does not look like a scrumhalf. A second‑row forward does not usually look like a winger. There are differences in physique, strength, speed, and gifts. But when they are all brought together for one goal—when you do not have fifteen individuals—but you have a team working together for one purpose, with one destination in mind—victory—then you have got unity. The parts complement, help, and unite each other because they are different.

That is what Paul is saying here. In the body of Christ all the diverse parts have one goal (1 Corinthians 12:7) for the common good. The gifts are given that we may serve each other, that we may build each other up, and that we may help the body to grow and develop. That is why things can go wrong with the gifts: people have forgotten the goal of the gifts. They are not to show off. They are not to display. They are not so that people can admire me or marvel at my gifts. They are not so that I can go off and do my own thing. This is my gift; I am going to use my gift. That is not what it is for! It is not for prestige. It is not for personal satisfaction. It is for the sake of our brothers and sisters in the Lord, and to bring glory to our Saviour.

You know that a human body is sick when it is uncoordinated. The body is sick when the parts are not working together, when the messages from the brain are not reaching the hands or the feet. When that happens a human being is in very serious difficulties. When a healthy body is properly coordinated, all the parts work together and for each other. They do not work against each other. That is a mark of serious illness. The mind gives a message, but the hand does not obey the message—there is a paralysis; there is a breakdown in communication. The mind gives a message, but the tongue does not say the words that the brain wants to be said. There is something seriously wrong. When the human body is healthy, it is perfectly coordinated. Then the parts work for each other, not against each other. Paul says that is the body of Christ. We are all working for the same goal: to help each other, to build up each other, and to bring glory to Christ.

So that is the great question in our spiritual gifts: will this help my brothers and sisters and give glory to Christ? That is the great question we have got to ask about our spiritual gifts. How can I help the body? How can I contribute to the body? We all are called to do things that perhaps we would rather not do, but that is how we serve the body.

That means that the more we use our gifts, the better coordinated and capable the body becomes. If you as a human being were only using half the members of your body, you would be leading a very paralysed, limited, damaged life. If you could only use one leg or one arm, if you could use your eyes but not your ears, you would be handicapped and restricted in some way. So the body needs to use all its parts. As we use our gifts, the whole body benefits. Then we become closer and our unity deepens.

Paul puts it beautifully in 1 Corinthians 12:25: That there may be no division [no schism] in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. Thinking first and always of others! That is the way to unity. Our brothers and sisters in the church should always go before ourselves. How does this affect them? How can I help my brothers and sisters?

The same Spirit—no division in the body. All gifts from the same Source. All gifts exercised in the same body. All gifts aiming at the same Lord.¹

Edward Donnelly