1 Corinthians 12:12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
14 For the body is not one member, but many.
15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?
18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
19 And if they were all one member, where were the body?
20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.
21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:
23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.
24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked:
25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.

Introductory Thoughts

Unfortunately, all too often believers get at odds with each other because one believer thinks himself of much greater value and worth than other believers. This puffed up believer may consider himself more skilled in the scripture and better at living the Christian life. If he is not careful, he will begin looking down on other believers with an arrogant tone. The Bible says that this type of a person might become like the eye that says “unto the hand, I have no need of thee” (1 Corinthians 12:21). Yet, every member of the body, even those “which seem to be more feeble, are necessary” (1 Corinthians 12:22). Believers should be truly thankful for other believers. They should thank the Lord for all the benefits each member brings to the body.

Devotional Thoughts

• (For children): Philippians 2:3 says we ought to think more of others than ourselves. We are to increase in love and charity (1 Thessalonians 3:12). We have nothing in which to glory (1 Corinthians 4:7) except the cross and the Lord (Galatians 6:14; 1 Corinthians 1:31).
• (For everyone): Is there some brother in Christ that you think to be of little or no importance? Can you actually think of things that he or she has done to be a blessing to you or to others? Knowing this, can you take the time to thank God for that believer?
• Do you think yourself superior to other believers? Is it possible that you are much weaker than you think?

Prayer Thoughts

• Thank God for the believers in your local body.
• Ask God to help you esteem others better than yourself.

SONG: MY SAVIOUR’S LOVE