Homilist Romans 12:4-5 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:… I. DIVERSITY UNDERLYING UNITY. 1. "We have many members in" the "one" natural "body"; and just so we, being diverse Christian members of His redeemed flock, "are one" mystical "body in Christ." 2. In the natural body every part is not so much a distinct unit in itself as a fraction of one great whole; and so in the Church (John 17:20, 21), not the individuality of the member, but the oneness of the whole community, is to demonstrate the truth of Christ's mission. 3. This unity can only be realised by having a governing Head. Only as we abide in real heart and life fellowship with Christ do we form a body that is "at unity in itself." If not bound together in the "unity of the Spirit," the body must decay and dissolve into a mass of lifeless, separate members. II. DIVERSITY CONSISTENT WITH UNITY. 1. That diversity is consistent with unity is shown by the analogy of our frame. 2. Diversity of vocation and function is consistent in Christians (1 Corinthians 12.). The Divine will is that each member should have a special function, but that all should work together for mutual help. 3. Diversity in unity is the foundation of all true beauty and usefulness (see laws of nature, waves of the sea, winds, clouds, human nature, etc.).Learn in conclusion — 1. We all belong to one another. None may say, "I have nothing to do with thee," nor plead, "Am I my brother's keeper?" Therefore every Christian should try — (1) To help his neighbour, to heal differences, and to strengthen the life and work of all Christ's people. (2) To refrain from speaking or doing anything that may hurt or vex any member of the body, since the Head is thereby pained (Acts 9:4) and the whole body shocked (1 Corinthians 12:26). 2. We are all necessary to each other — the rich to the poor and the poor to the rich; the sick to the hale as well as the hale to the sick. All can derive help from others, and all can give somewhat to others. All depend on each other in the wondrous "compacting together by that which every joint supplieth." (Homilist.) Parallel Verses KJV: For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:WEB: For even as we have many members in one body, and all the members don't have the same function, |
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