“Brothers and sisters, I don’t want there to be any misunderstanding concerning spiritual gifts. You know that when you were unbelievers, every time you were led to worship false gods you were worshiping gods who couldn’t even speak. So I want you to know that no one speaking by God’s Spirit says, “Jesus is cursed.” No one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. There are different spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit gives them. There are different ways of serving, and yet the same Lord is served. There are different types of work to do, but the same God produces every gift in every person.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭12:1-6‬ ‭GW‬‬

Corinth was about 600,000 in population. The city was located on a narrow strip of land about four miles wide - between two bodies of sea. It was economically bulging. However,  the culture was pagan. In fact, there was a temple built to the goddess Aphrodite. In Greek mythology she was the daughter of Zeus and the goddess of love (desire). Prostitutes were available at this "place of worship". Perversion was rampant. It was one of the largest cities in the world at the time; Multicultural, economically prosperous, and yet caught up in heathenism.

In the midst of all of this chaos, there was a Christian church. The church was in desperate need of apostolic instruction for character and conduct.

In today's reading, Paul is giving instructions about the various gifts God gives His church and how they are meant to compliment each other, not compete.

We are all unique and individual but we are made to contribute to the function of the whole.

Prayer for today: Father, in the name of Jesus, help me understand that life isn't about me. Help me learn what you have gifted me to do in your body, the church, and help me be found serving there.