Articles
A Team Sport
There is an assumption among many who consider themselves religious that affiliation with any local congregation or organized religious group is unnecessary. We understand that we will be judged for our own lives. We boldly use passages like Ezekiel 18 to prove that we are accountable for our own actions. The sins of the father may affect the family, but will not determine the eternal judgment of anyone but himself. “The soul who sins shall die…”. And so, some have taken that to mean that we are not only accountable for our own actions, but also responsible for no one but ourselves spiritually.
That is not only false, but a dangerous misunderstanding of what God expects of us. The truth is, God has intended for this life to be a team sport. From the beginning of our lives, we are born into a family. At school, and later in our work lives, there is almost always a team component. Most sports involve a dependance on others to achieve success. But even in “individual “sports, there is very little chance of success without coaches, trainers, and other helpful supporters. The body of Christ is another team that is part of God’s plan for His people. In the Lord’s church, we work as individuals. Yes, our eternity will be determined by our individual hearts and actions, but part of what we will be held accountable for is our diligence and effectiveness as part of the body of Christ.
The metaphor that is used throughout the New Testament is that of a body working with all of its individual parts functioning together. Romans 12:3-8 talks about the different roles within that body. It starts off by encouraging Christians “not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly…”. The passage also reminds us that we all have an important role to play, “but all the members do not have the same function…”. Regardless of our different roles, we should do whatever it is that God has blessed us to do with diligence and cheerfulness.
In 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, it explains that we become a part of that body when we are baptized into Christ. This was God’s plan from the beginning. As the body of Christ, we are urged to accept our role without envy or selfishness and to view every part as valuable.There are three responsibilities of the individual members of that body that I want to briefly mention. The first is to be present. If you are not with the body when it is assembled, how can you hope to perform your important function as a member of that body? Maybe the only thing that you are able to do for the body at this particular stage of life is to encourage by your presence! How can you draw closer to your brethren when you don’t’ see them as often as you should? When a player on a football team is absent for whatever reason, that team is weakened. They must compensate for the loss. You OWE God your service and praise, but you also OWE your brethren the encouragement they gain from your presence.
As a member of this team, you must also be passionate. Be passionate for the team and its success. Schools have pep rallies before a game to get everyone excited and motivated to work towards victory in the coming game. How can I help achieve victory? How can I help the team in whatever role I been blessed to perform?
This leads to the last responsibility of the members of the body of Christ that I want to mention here: be humble. 1 Corinthians 12:4f says, “There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all”. It’s not all about me. It’s not about bringing glory to myself. Later in the same chapter, Paul uses the personification of individual parts to emphasize his point. Verse 15 features a discontent foot who wants to be a hand. Verse 16 features an ear that is ready to quit because it would rather be an eye. But verses 17-18 says, “If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? 18 But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased.” Humility is accepting the talents and blessings that God has given each of us and using them to the best of our ability to the glory of God.
Philippians 2:3-4 sums up well what a team player must be in the body of Christ. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” Be Humble by accepting the role that God has given you with the proper spirit. Be Passionate about your service to God and work that is to be done within the body. Be Present. We need you here. We want you here. Your mere presence is a greater encouragement than you think it is. The team needs you.
