Fall 1991

Our Placement in the Body of Christ
Wade E Taylor

"Neglect not the gift that is in thee,
which was given thee by prophecy,
with the laying on of the hands
of the presbytery.
MEDITATE UPON THESE THINGS;
GIVE THYSELF WHOLLY TO THEM;
that thy profiting may appear to all"
I Tim 4:14-15.

The above Scripture is an exhortation to Timothy concerning the ministry gift that had been imparted to him by the Apostle Paul. He is being old that he is to prayerfully hold this gift before the Lord that he might receive the enabling grace which will cause it to become effective in his life and ministry.

"But now hath God set the members every one of them
in the body, as it hath pleased him" I Cor 12:18.

Many of us may not yet be fully aware of our calling, or of our "placement" within the Body of Christ. If this is true, we should begin to diligently seek the Lord concerning this.

The Lord has given each one of us either a ministry, or a particular responsibility, and possibly one, or more gifts. "But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will" I Cor 12:11. We may have been "set" (by our local fellowship) in our calling and are, in some measure, functioning in it. Or, we have recognized that we have within us a ministry gift, but those in leadership have not acknowledged it and "set" us in our place of function. If this is so, then we should pray that those in authority will recognize our gift and make room for it.

The proper functioning of our ministry, and or gifts, is essential to the spiritual health and growth of the local expression of the Body of Christ, of which we are a part. It is important for us to understand that our "placement" in the Body of Christ will be within the range ofour abilities, either potentially or realized. The Lord knows our makeup and will not require of us more than we are (potentially) capable of.

"For it is under His direction that the whole body is
perfectly adjusted and united by every joint that furnishes
its supplies; and by the proper functioning of each particular
part, there is brought about the growing of the Body for its
building up in Love" Eph 4:16 Williams Trans.

It is vitally important that we come to know our place and function within His Body. Once we know this, then we are to seek after that which will further prepare and strengthen us in the outworking of the ministry for which we are responsible.

"For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much
required" Luke 12:48b.