“But God giveth [each seed] a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body.”
(1 Corinthians 15:36-38)
Paul had brought the Gospel to Corinth during his second missionary journey (Acts 18:1-17). Though his apostolic witness was met with a good deal of hostility and opposition (Acts 18:4-6), many believed to the saving of their souls and a redeemed community was created (Acts 18:8-11). Very soon, however, the Corinthians, influenced by Greek philosophy and pagan religious thought, began to question key doctrines of the faith, most notably, the doctrine of the future resurrection of the believer (1 Corinthians 15:12). In Paul’s defense of this key doctrine, he makes the interesting remark that God has given “to every seed his own body.” This is a succinct restatement of something Paul had already taught them, namely, that redeemed people are unique and distinct individuals (1 Corinthians 12:12-20). Though Christians are unified in their like precious faith (2 Corinthians 4:13; Philippians 2:2; 2 Peter 1:1) and in a common, ultimate object of worship and obedience (1 Corinthians 8:6; 12:4-6), each remains a unique, special, and irreplaceable member of the household of faith. Though none of us are worthy of the least of His mercies (cf Genesis 32:10), God has not only made us the special objects of His redemptive love, He has called us to be co-laborers with Him in accomplishing good in the earth (1 Corinthians 3:9). Every one of Christ’s elect New Covenant priests has a suite of important, God-ordained tasks to accomplish in this life (Ephesians 2:10). Even though we may feel at times unimportant, inadequate, and underqualified for the job, let us remember that the greatest heroes of the faith, those that accomplished the most under God, felt the very same way. Moses felt terribly ill-suited to the job he was called to (Exodus 3:11; 4:10), as did Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:6) and even the great king Solomon (1 Kings 3:7). Let each of us strive to accomplish what we are called to in this life, depending on God for guidance and strength, knowing that our sufficiency is of Him (2 Corinthians 3:5). God knew us long before we knew Him (Jeremiah 1:5; John 1:46-48; 2:25; Acts 9:3-5), and He has gifted us with just those talents and abilities needful in accomplishing what we need to accomplish in this life (1 Corinthians 12:4-11). One day when we leave this earth, the Lord will review our faithfulness (2 Corinthians 5:10) and we desire to hear Him say “Well done thou good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:21, 23). Even in our resurrected, glorified bodies we will continue to be unique and distinct individuals. Taking up residence in the promised New Heavens and Earth, we will serve our Lord (Revelation 22:3) according to our unique personalities, gifts, talents and abilities, all to the glory of God. Hallelujah and Maranatha!
May God bless, strengthen, and encourage you today dear saints,
Pastor John
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