We desperately need each other. The Lord made me very aware of this during the recent events. During this same time, you may have had a similar experience. When people became isolated, they could not be in contact with many people. Living a more secluded life, you could not use your gifts as much or receive the ministry from others using their spiritual gifts. In the end, when we are isolated, we all suffer.
Paul compared different parts of the body to different gifts the Lord gives us and how important each one is. 1 Corinthians 12:21 The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.” [1] Every Spiritual gift the Lord gives is essential for the church to carry out its mission in the world to bring the love of Jesus to others.
We Need Each Other to Reach People with the Good News of Jesus
When Paul and Silas were imprisoned on their second missionary journey for sharing the good news of Jesus, they were persecuted and imprisoned. While in prison, they began to use their spiritual gifts, and God opened the hearts of the people around them. Acts 16:25 Around midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening.[2] Paul and Silas needed each other to encourage one another and better communicate the Gospel.
After a significant earthquake, the jailer thought his prisoners had escaped, but they all stayed in their cells because God was at work. As it turned out, the jailer also listened to Paul and Silas. Acts 16:29 The jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 Then he brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.”[3]
We Need Each Other Along the Journey
Have you ever been involved in something overwhelming, and someone came alongside you to help and make a significant difference? When this happens, we learn how much we need each other and the gifts they bring. I remember we had a large children’s ministry program; without many volunteers with different gifts, it would not have been possible. As people came together with the Lord’s gifts, hundreds of children were ministered to, encouraged, and prayed for. Only the Lord knows the impact of those wonderful volunteers using their gifts for the glory of God.
The Lord wants all of us to use our gifts and abilities to help others and be the arms and feet of Jesus. We do need each other. To learn how we desperately need each other, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/worship-as-the-body
[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Tyndale House Publishers.