There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. …
All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.
The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body-whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free-and we were all given the one Spirit to drink Now the body is not made up of one part but of many.
Character Check Am I tolerant of the diversity within the body of Christ?
In Business Terms Ephesians 1:9-10 is God’s agenda for uniting all things in Christ. I also think of the passage in Ephesians 4, where Paul says that when Christ ascended he left gifts: apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers to equip the saints for works of ministry until we all reach unity and become mature in the fullness of the stature of Christ. Then we will not be tossed about by every wind of teaching, but will speak the truth in love, growing up into Christ.
If I am taking my call seriously as a servant of Jesus Christ, that’s my agenda, and I must be about unity, not conformity. Diversity is essential to unity. I can’t imagine a painting that is all one color.
The issue is Jesus Christ, and if a person honors Christ, then that person is a brother or a sister, and we can have fellowship regardless of other differences.
—Richard Halverson
Something to Think About If two people agree on everything, you may be sure that one of them is doing all the thinking. – Anonymous
