1 Corinthians 12:12-13

One of my favorite classes in college was Anatomy and Physiology. The detailed operation of various organs, cells, pathways, systems, and the like amazed me. Some of this networking and function you could only appreciate under a microscope or by the way a larger organ depended on it, while others you realized their function with a quick glance. It was intriguing and profound to dive into the details of the human body. It also begged the question, "how could anyone believe this detail could be produced out of mere growth and adjustment over time?".  But here Paul is not trying to argue Divine creation versus evolution. He is describing the church and how we should interact with one another when it comes to various personalities, gifting, and individualism. In a word, the key is appreciation. Appreciate one another. You are not all alike but you all have value.

Appreciate, by definition, is to recognize the full worth of something. In regards to the body, we may not be able to always see the function of something but it has worth none the less. Its value doesn't depend on our ability to recognize it. This worth is often understood by the operation of the collection of many processes which come together to create a body. So then how do we ascribe individual worth in the church? One way is to look at the function of the collective. The outward function of the church is a reflection of both the seen and unseen members.

1 Samuel 30, records the capture of the families of Ziklag by the Amalekites, while David and his men are away in battle.  As David prepares to go and fight to return the people, there was approximately a third of the men who stayed behind. Upon the return of David and the men who retrieved all the people along with the spoil of victory, some of those who fought didn't want the spoils distributed to those who stayed back. But David declared to them "for as his share is who goes down into the battle, so shall his share be who stays by the baggage. They shall share alike." I Samuel 30:24 ESV. What a wonderful scene of unity and the sharing of reward! There was value in those how stayed behind as well as those who fought. There was commonality of purpose and vision.

This commonality of purpose and vision in 1 Corinthians is brought about by the Spirit. "For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body - Jews or Greeks, slaves or free - and all were made to drink of one Spirit."  I Corinthians 12:13. We can find other successful examples of unity in our world. Teams and companies foster unity and purpose to achieve goals, but none of them are brought about by the Spirit. It is a super natural work of God that brings christians together regardless of background.  So then what is the purpose of this unity brought about by the Spirit for the church? I think we find the answer in 1 Corinthians 10 and in Colossians 3 - to glorify the Father. Glorify Him in all we do individually and with one another. Not only do we all work collectively for purpose but, just like the men who "stayed behind", we all share in the reward!