I'm Following Jesus – Page 1960 – Mark 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

KJB Daily Devotion – Following Jesus Through Every Chapter
Date: Monday, December 03, 2018
Chapters: I Corinthians 12-14
Message: True Diversity

Hello My Friend,

Diversity; Difference; dissimilitude; unlikeness. Variety. Distinct being, as opposed to identity. There is a lot of talk about diversity these days, in fact, I just received an email from my job about a course on diversity. The world shouts out a lot about everyone being equal and deserving the same respect no matter what they believe, but that is as long as we all think and look like them, the second we disagree we are the target. It is okay to be different, God makes us all different because He has a place and purpose for all of us, what He does not want is diversity of the Gospel, there is only one Gospel, and we must not be ashamed of that. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” – Romans 1:16-17.

“For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith:” I just spent an hour staring at the screen, the words just did not want to come to me, then I saw this verse and it is all coming to me now. The righteous of God is revealed to us through our faith, we are not, nor ever were, saved by our own righteous because in our flesh we always come short of being righteous before God. We cannot be a Christian, and not believe in Christ, that is worse than being an oxymoron, being diverse is not believing that there are several ways to God and heaven, it is believing that God has given you a gift that enables you to explain the Gospel in a way that reaches the people God sends to you. Paul explains it this way.

“Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. 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. 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.” – I Corinthians 12:4-13.

“Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.” It is though the Holy Spirit that we all understand that Jesus is perfect, and that it is only though our faith in Him that we are made righteous before God. No matter how big or small the skill we all belong to Christ, therefore, everything we do for Him matters, and is used as He pleases. Some of us may have more responsibility than others, but He gives us what we can handle, it does not mean that we are better Christians, it is just means that we have all been given a purpose for His use in bringing more people to Him. Paul stresses the importance of us knowing that the smallest member is honored.

“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. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: 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. For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.” – I Corinthians 12:21-28.

“having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked:” For years I have wondered why God allows anyone to be born with a disability or into a dire situation, and then I read these verses and it finally hit me, even though I read them every year, it is to bring the ones dealing with the suffering to Christ. We may think someone born with a disability is broken or imperfect, but that is just the opposite to God, to Him they are perfect, and precious, and will receive much more honor than we who are perfect in ever Christ will. You see, they already have a place in heaven, and if we have faith in that, we can have faith in Christ.“I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!” – Psalm 139:14-17.

Schism; Division or separation. God makes sure that there is no diversity when it comes to how we are saved, but He will make sure there is diversity in how we reach them. Why? Those who came out of poverty have a better way of reaching those who are living in poverty, likewise, those who overcome some disease or grief have a better way of reaching those who are suffering now. Some of us may have several jobs or talents to reach the lost, but we are all equal in God’s eyes, He gives us all different talents and lifestyles to be used for His glory. I understand how people can put you in a separate category because you act or look different than others, we are supposed to be different, but we are to love one another. In fact, there is no greater gift we could ever give to anyone than showing them the love (charity) of Christ.

“And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.” – I Corinthians 13:3-10,13.

“and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.” We can give, endure, and afflict ourselves until the day we die, but if we do not have the love of Christ in us, we benefit nothing from it. Every time I read these verses I think about my relationship with my guy and often relate it to my own relationship with Jesus. How often does Jesus show me how much He loves me and yet I am not always responsive? Jesus loves me unconditionally, even when I am not so responsive to Him, but He shows Himself more when I show love back and serve Him unconditionally. God makes it simple for us to serve Him, we just need to believe in His Son. You can be the most famous evangelist that speaks ten different languages, but unless you believe in His Son than you get nothing, but hell. Paul stresses the importance of not only coming together as one congregation under one doctrine, but also that all are able to understand it ourselves.

“How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.” – I Corinthians 14:26-33.

“Let all things be done unto edifying.” God is not the author of confusion, He makes things simple, it is man who make it complicated. Speaking in tongues is just another way of being bilingual, it is not the mumbo jumbo you hear the charismatics proclaim. God wants us to teach the Gospel in a language that people understand, not something no one understands at all. Since all spiritual gifts come from the Holy Spirit that indwells us, no one is above anyone else. Whether a person is gifted by God to provide one service or many we are all important to Him, no one is left out, yet no one is irreplaceable, we are merely servants sent to serve His purpose. “Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.” – Ephesians 6:5-8.

Jesus Christ Magnified: “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.” – I Corinthians 12:12.

Today’s Prayer: God, It is truly amazing all the things I have learned over the years, and that You use all of them for me to serve a purpose for You. Thank You for Your mercy, grace, and love, and for giving me the spiritual gifts You have given me, may I know how to use them all for Your glory. Lord, lead me and guide me, help me learn to yield to the Holy Spirit as He teaches me to serve You with all my heart, soul, might, and love them just like Jesus. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,

Christina

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