Think about the diversity in the Church. People come from different backgrounds with varying spiritual gifts, natural talents, personalities, passions, preferences, and opinions. We find families, couples, never-married singles, divorcees, and widows or widowers. Multiple ages levels from infants to senior adults attend. Many already know Jesus as their Savior but some may come who are yet unsaved. Among those who trust in Jesus, some have spiritually matured but others are spiritual infants with many in-between. In an effort to meet a variety of needs that come from all these differences, we establish a large number of programs or ministries. We employ pastors and other staff but also rely on a great number of volunteers. Amidst all this diversity, we’re called to be One Body — a monumental feat yet not impossible when we view the Holy Spirit essential to coordination.
Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.
For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body – whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free – and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
(1 Cor. 12:12-13)
Essential to Coordination, the Holy Spirit Provides What We Need to be One
Natural instincts will steer us toward individualism, entitlement, self-promotion and independence, all worldly pursuits (1 Cor. 3;1-9; Jude 1:19). We need the spiritual resources the Holy Spirit provides to experience the kind of coordination that brings such diversity into true unity wherein we view ourselves as co-workers not only with God but also with one another in pursuit of His purposes, design, and mission.
The Holy Spirit …
- keeps pointing us to Christ who is the Head of the Church and the One who joined us together (Jn. 14:26; 15:26; 16:13-15)
- gives us each the same access to the Father (Eph. 2:18-22) so we go to the same Source and follow the same Standard
- enables us to love as God loves, a key motivational factor and means of becoming coordinated (Rom. 15:30; Gal. 5:22)
- helps us keep the perspective we need of what’s essential and non-essential (Rom. 14:17-20a) rather than let eternally inconsequential issues divide
- provides the needed wisdom and discernment to do life God’s way (1 Cor. 2:6-16)
- produces within us the inner character needed to serve together in unity (Gal. 5:13-26)
- prays for us in ways we don’t even know we need when we struggle to come together (Rom. 8:26-27)
- gives believers spiritual gifts in order for us to each do our part (1 Cor. 12:1, 4, 7, 11)
So let’s yield to the Spirit’s control so He fills us (Eph. 5:18-20) so much there’s no room left for self-centered activity. Let’s walk in the Spirit so wherever we go and in whatever we do, we’re keeping in step with Him (Gal. 5:13-26) and not following our own understanding or the ways of the world. Let’s “stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel” (Phil. 1:27). Let’s “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:3-6). When we don’t treat each other with love, respect, and honor .. valuing them as members of One Body, we grieve the Holy Spirit (Eph. 4:-32) because we aren’t pulling on the resources He provides to live as a coordinated whole. We all share in that same Spirit who enables us to be “like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind” (Phil. 2:1-2) even with all of our diversity.
All Posts about Coordination:
- Motivation for Coordination
- Means of Coordination
- Coordination Integral to God’s Design
- Coordination Governed by the Great Commission
- Coordination Showcases Christ
- Coordination in Submission to Christ
- Coordination in the Church is Possible
- Coordination Founded Upon the Gospel
- Grace to Hurdle Obstacles to Coordination
- Holy Spirit Essential to Coordination
- Spiritual Gifts Useful to Coordination
- Motivational Effect of His Name to Coordination