Daily Readings (Page 295)

Paul’s sacrificial ministry is motivated by the love of Christ.  How may our ministry be motivated in similar ways?

What does “the fear of the Lord” mean (see also 7:1)?  Do we have that “fear” in our relationship with God?

Paul is talking about earnestly desiring the gifts that do more to build up the body of Christ.  His aim is to build up the body and not to lift up the one using the gifts.  

Each is given specific gifts and each is expected to be good stewards of them so as to be used for the upbuilding of the entire body.  How have you been using your gifts to build up God’s church lately?                 

Often there are those amongst us who feel left-out and unloved; look for someone specifically whom you may encourage today.

We need each other in the body and yet we are to encourage and ennoble others at the same time.  How may you do that with someone today?

Unity in the body goes across ethnicity, social class, status, etc; how do we live that out by the way we engage with each other in our daily lives?

We often assume that we understand what being Christ’s body means, but do we?  Take some time to think about the implications that we are Christ’s body (see also Eph 1:22-23; Rom 12:4-8; Col 1:18, 24). 

Knowing what to do must be translated into doing what we know.  How do we translate our understanding of the gospel into giving hope to those around us meaningfully like “a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God”?

An authentic life before God may be summarized by what Francis of Assisi once said, “Preach the gospel at all times and when necessary use words.”  A true believer is one whose life itself is a testimony of the Gospel.