An Ending and a New Beginning | A Quick Word of Encouragement
“An Ending and a New Beginning”
A Quick Word of Encouragement
#40dayemphasis #devotionalreading
(From Today’s BibleGateway Reading)
1 Corinthians 12:20 But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. 21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. 23 And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, 24 but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, 25 that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. 26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.
Today, September 1, we at New Covenant Church conclude our 40-day emphasis on daily Bible reading, fasting, prayer, and walking in unity/agreement of purpose and practice. The value of such a season of emphasis is that it helps us retrain ourselves and form new habits. So while the dates of the 40 days mark a conclusion, our commitment to Bible reading, prayer, fasting, and agreement continues. New patterns have been formed—or revived—that we will carry forward.
Today’s reading highlights the strength of the body of Christ. We are not islands unto ourselves. Scripture declares, “And the eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I have no need of you’; nor again the head to the feet, ‘I have no need of you.’” (1 Cor. 12:21)
Just as there is no insignificant part of the human body, there is no insignificant part of Christ’s body. If you stub your smallest toe, your whole body feels it. We are neither fully independent nor fully dependent—we are interdependent.
Together, we are a holy temple: “From whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.” (Eph. 2:21-22)
We live in a Western and American culture shaped by the phrase, “I think, therefore I am.” By contrast, the Eastern and African cultures—out of which the Bible was written and from which many of us draw our heritage—are better expressed by, “We are, therefore I am.” This perspective reflects the character and mission of Christ, who said, “On this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” (Matt. 16:18)
Finally, we are reminded: “The members should have the same care for one another.” (1 Cor. 12:25) This is the high value and responsibility of every covenant community. It extends beyond those we know personally. When we give—sowing love and care into the lives of others—we also reap the same.
New Covenant Church
Pastor Bryan Hudson, DMin
Today's reading from Bible Gateway: http://www.biblegateway.com/reading-plans/old-new-testament/today
