The Discovery
DAY THREE
DAY THREE: CONSIDERING THE SOURCE
Review:
- There are as many ministries/callings (assignments) as there are believers,
and all work together to accomplish God’s will and bring glory to Him. - Whatever your assignment, God has equipped you to carry out your calling and
ministry, and it is He who will bring about the results that He desires. - As a part of the team that is the body of Christ, you have certain
responsibilities; to carry out your assignment and to encourage the other
members of your team.
As you discover your assignment, you may be tempted to compare it with
someone else’s, estimating your place, or rank, on the spiritual ladder. Be very
careful when comparing your assignment to other’s assignments. Ranking
assignments into some type of hierarchy takes the focus off of Christ and puts
it on the assignment itself. If Christ is at the heart of each assignment,
working through each believer, then no assignment is any more/less important or
essential than any other. All assignments are a part of His plan, whether or
not some carry more responsibility or naturally seem to gain more respect or
honor from other believers.
Back in Paul’s day, ministering among the Jews, to other Jews, would seem to
be a more important assignment than ministering among the Gentiles. However,
Paul points out that the ministries are equal because it was God at work in
both.
As human beings, we have a very bad habit of comparing ourselves to one
another. This would be an acceptable practice if our ultimate goal (as
believers) was to become like another believer, but it isn’t. We are to become
like Christ, and should compare ourselves only to Him, allowing Him to judge our
progress and work and the progress and work of others. Comparing ourselves to
one another is counterproductive. It causes us to become proud, judgmental,
envious, and/or discouraged. It causes division in the body that hinders the
ministry of Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 1:10-13 and 1 Corinthians 3:3-9
Take a few moments and write your thoughts, concerns, and questions in your
journal. Allow the following thought suggestions to guide you.
Are you someone that is continuously comparing yourself to others or people
that you know to one another? Explain or give examples.
Are there any unimportant assignments? Explain. How does that make you feel?
As you discover your own assignment within the body of Christ, what is it
that you hope to do with that information as a member of the body of Christ?
What is God teaching you about your assignment?