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John Donne, a British author, who lived and wrote when the King James Version was written (1611), wrote, “if a single clod should be washed away by the sea, Europe would be less”. This is taken from his poem “No Man Is An Island”, and he’s pointing out the significance of the individual. Take away all the clods, and you have no continent! Take away any part of anything, and of course something is lacking.
Paul reasons the same way in I Corinthians 12:14-20. He says just as a body needs the feet, hands, ears, eyes, nose, etc., so the Lord needs each one of us to function as members of the body of Christ. He even says that the parts of the body, that seem to be less important, are necessary,
Think about it! A large, vibrant, enthusiastic congregation is made up of individuals! If I’m not here, and you’re absent, too, then it is not what it could have been with our presence. The Bible talks about visiting the sick, reclaiming the wayward, showing love to our brothers and sisters, giving to the needs of others, sharing the gospel with the lost, praying one for another, singing with one another, and many other things, but unless I do my part and you do yours, then as the man said, the whole is less, and as Paul said the necessary, is made smaller!
While we’re thinking of this, Galatians 6:10 comes to mind, “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith”.
What a challenge to know that what I think and do today is significant! I am a part of God’s plan to bless the world, especially those I may in some way touch or influence.
Borrowed
Jimmy |
