Daily Tonic || Members in Particular
- Rev. Temilolu Aliu
- Mar 3, 2019
- 2 min read
Text- 1Corinthians 12:27- “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular”
The body of Christ is very vast and diverse. It’s one large family made up of every born again person. Each believer is a member of this body. I like how Paul puts it in or text; “you are… members in particular”.
Your local congregation is like an organ in the body of Christ; and you are supposed to function there as a “Member in Particular”. Some translations call it “Actual (authentic, tangible, real) member”.
When you think of the family of faith that God has joined you to, will you call yourself an actual member there? Can you be referred to as “Member in particular”, or you are just a passive attendee?
There are three things that define actual members from passive attendees:
They are a part
They are partners
They are participants
PART
Someone who is part of the congregation goes for “Our fellowship”, “Our service”, “Our prayer meeting”, or such as the case may be. A passive attendee on the other hand goes for “Their fellowship”, “Their service”, etc.
You see the difference? When you are a part, what concern the whole concerns you as a person. It’s “Our Church”, not “Their Church”, and definitely not [Insert the Pastor’s Name]’s Church. Being a part is an attitudinal disposition; a place where you see yourself as an integral part of the family.
PARTNER
A partner is one who has a stake in something. They commit their time, talent and resources to the common good of the larger whole. As a partner, you will avail yourself, your time and your resources (financial, material, etc.) for the benefit and progress of the ministry.
PARTICIPANT
A participant is different from an observer. An observer/spectator watches what is happening, whereas a participant is one of those doing “what is happening”
As a participant, you will share in the burden of the assignment; play a part in the ministry, and join-in in every aspect of the service… worship, prayer, etc. A participant is role-player, not an on-looker.
I want to encourage you today to become a “Member in particular” in that family of faith where God has planted you. Become a part, a partner, and a participant.
Shalom!
PRAYER
Father, I make a commitment today to be a member in particular. I will be an active member in the family of faith where you have planted me; I will be a part, a partner and a participant there in Jesus Name. Amen.
Image Credit: godsfamilychurchri.org
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